Celebration Midweek - March 26

3 Key words to remember for today: Keep pressing on!  "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Philippians 3:12)

1. Easter Flowers - Order your tulips, lilies and hyacinths to decorate church on Easter Sunday. They are $7.00 each and can be taken home after the service. There is a signup sheet on the Information Booth, order is due this Sunday, March 30th. 

2. New Websites - Our last church website was hacked! Argh! So we created a new one. YAY!  Check it out at www.celebrationmuskegon.org. We also created a new Facebook website. Follow the following link (Check us out on Facebook!) and "LIKE" the page. That way you will automatically get information from the Church's page on your FB page.

3. Sunday - Ready for the mirror of self reflection? James says, "Faith without works is dead." What does that mean for your faith? (James 2:14-26)

4. Student Ministries this Wednesday at Calvin CRC:
- Little Peeps (PreK-1st Grade) - Lesson: "Jesus Teaches Us How To Pray"
Memory Verse: "Love your neighbor as yourself” Mark 12:31
- GEMS (2nd-5th Grade) - Lesson: “Daughter of a King” Special evening learning about our identity in Christ.
Memory Verse: See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1
- Cadets (2nd-5th Grade) - Lesson then building rockets
Memory Verse: “Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2
- Middle School Youth Group (6th-8th Grades) - Lesson: Is Believing in Jesus Really The Only Way To Get To Heaven?
Memory Verse: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” John 14:6

5. Prayers - Please pray for:
- Terry Lacy's sister, Kate is having a biopsy this week to determine if she has breast cancer. She also has other health issues. Please pray for Kate, her husband, Stan, and daughter Lacy as they go through this difficult time.
- The many people who were prayed for by students during their prayer walk in Detroit this past weekend at a service project with the Bergman's.
- Terry's other sister who is battling heroin addiction.
- Harold West's mom was in the hospital with chest pain but is out again.
- Leslie Zimmerman's grandmother, Pat Bromley, who recently had a pacemaker put in. Pray for healing and strength.
- Natalie Simms asked for prayers of praise for her job.
- Kathy Policka asked for prayers for her daughter who is on medication for a bad heart.
- A friend of Bill Essenberg died on Monday from Cancer.
- Brenda Grabinski is scheduled for back surgery on April 7.
- Several marriages as they work through some relational issues.
- Joe and Barb (friends of Mike and Connie Cerminaro) who are grieving the loss of their son a few weeks ago.
- The stress and joy that goes into wedding plans for several couples in our church family.
- Duane Gray is receiving treatment to stop the bleeding behind his eye.
- The many unspoken prayer requests that only God knows, hears, and answers.

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

Celebration Midweek - March 19

1. Casserole Luncheon, SUNDAY - Stay after church and share a meal together. Stay even if you didn't bring anything!

2. Iron Man Group, Tuesday 6:30 at Western Michigan Christian High School Shop. Everyone is welcome. Will be working on service projects. Contact Dick DeBoer for more information.

3. Prayer Requests - When you have prayer requests for your church family to bring to God, send them to Pastor Matt or to one of the Prayer Team members. We take lifting up the needs of others seriously!

4. Church Safety Training, March 30 - Those hoping to volunteer in the Nursery or Oasis will meet briefly after church for training in our Church Safety policies.

5. Sunday - We would never play favorites or discriminate against anyone else, would we? However, if we're going to look like people that follow Jesus, we need to change some things.  We'll continue in our series of James: A Faith to Live By.  (James 2:1-13.)

6. Prayers - Please pray for:
- Those experiencing car issues: not having a car or having the expense of repairing the car that they have.

- The new small group that begins after church on April 6.
- Brenda Grabinski who is moving around better after another round of back injections to relieve pain.

- Duane Gray who is experiencing bleeding behind his eye. He starts treatment today.

- The many people who are stressed out due to jobs, family relationships, and other factors.
- For the many unspoken prayer requests that only God knows, hears, and answers.


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

5 Things for This Week

Celebration,
For those who feel worn out, here is some good news from Isaiah 40:30-31: "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

1. Casserole Luncheon, March 23 - Whether it is a casserole or a hot dish, enjoy a meal at church after worship. If you have never made a casserole before, we have recipes! This will be a great time! Please sign-up on the information booth so that we know we have enough for everyone! 

2. Nominees for Elders and Deacon nominees - We will be selecting elder and deacon leaders in May. Contact Sue Vredevoogd if you believe someone would serve well as a church leader.

3. Amie Anderson Grad Party, March 22, 2-4PM - It is now DR. Amie! She has invited the Celebration community to church to celebrate with her. Contact DR. Amie if you have other questions.

4. Sunday - The life of a Christian is one of action! It is much more than knowing God's assignment for your life. It is doing God's assignment for your life! See you Sunday as we continue our walk in the book of James. (James 1:19-27)

5. Prayers - Please pray for:
- Lilia DuRose is doing much better. She and her family thank everyone for your prayers, concern, calls, and occasional food.
- Please add Gene Wessel to your prayer list. He is a friend of Julie DeMarr. He has been diagnosed with lung cancer and is suffering from other health related issues.
- Help for friends who are in abusive relationships.
- Harold and Geneva West's niece, Jessica, who went into labor at only 26 weeks. 
- Duane Gray had a blood vessel break behind the left eye. He has some swelling and will see a specialist this week.
- Geneva West's mother who has been in and out of the hospital.
- The discord within the church.
- Stay focused on how to treat our brothers and sister at church, being Christ-like, compassionate, loving, forgiving and encouraging to one another.
- Our Celebration family members and let God's will work in our goal to opening Phase II. May we all be patient and wait for the Lord's blessings. Let us be thankful, Christ-like and imitate God.

--

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

Celebration Midweek - March 5

Just imagine if Muskegon County were prayed for 24 hours a day! The Muskegon Prayer Initiative hopes to get at least 31 churches to take a day each month to pray for Muskegon County. Imagine what might happen if Muskegon County were lifted up to God in prayer 24 hours a day!

1. IMPORTANT! Saturday, March 8, move your clocks ahead one hour! Especially the important one is your alarm clock next to your bed! We want to make sure you are at church on time to worship our God and meet with your church family.

2. Upcoming Events
Wieners and Winners, Saturday, March 8, 5:30pm - Join us at church for hot dogs, games, a Sundae bar, and loads of fun.
Casserole Luncheon, Sunday, March 23 - We will be sharing a meal together after Sunday morning worship. Sign up at the info booth so we can best cover the food needs.

3. Prayer - Please pray for:
- Our Celebration families in need of comfort, healing and support.

- Those remembering Ash Wednesday with honest reflection of their hearts and minds and lives before God.
- Lilia who had a minor set back this week.
- The Meyer family as their garage collapsed from the snow.
- Robin Busch, sister of Tim Bosma, who has completed her course of Chemo and radiation.
- Marriages that have deep embedded conflict.
- Praise God the maker of the heavens and the earth for he knows our needs even before we ask, and cares for us even in our darkest hours.
- The team preparing to serve in Nicaragua from Calvin CRC. Pray for their provision and for God to fortify them as they are sent out "sheep among wolves".
- Cheryl Ferguson as she begins a new journey in her new apartment. Praise God for fresh starts and new beginnings.

--
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 - Feb. 26

The groundhog on February 2 said that there would be 6 more weeks of winter. That takes us to March 16. Can we just hold on for 2.5 more weeks? The following items may help you out!

1. Upcoming Events

• Wieners and Winners, Saturday, March 8, 5:30pm - Join us at church for hot dogs, games, a Sundae bar, and loads of fun.
• Casserole Luncheon, Sunday, March 23 - We will be sharing a meal together after Sunday morning worship. Sign up at the info booth so we can best cover the food needs.

2. Building Project - Thanks for all who attended and participated in the meeting last Sunday. We will include pledge cards in the program for the next few weeks for those who did not get them last week or were not able to be at church.

3. Prayers - Please pray for:

• Lilia DuRose came home from the hospital on Tuesday. She's very tired and will take time to recover. The official diagnoses is a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The doctors assured us that this will heal over time. Both Steve and Lilia are grateful for your prayers and support.
• For those actively dealing with cancer and those in remission.
• Muskegon County Prayer Shield Initiative that this entire area would be lifted up in prayer every hour of every day.
• Safety in travels during the icy roads of late winter.
• The selection of elders and deacons that will take place in May.
• The growth and maturity of those getting married this year and for those who seek to remain married.
• Mike and Connie's friends, Joe and Barb, who tragically lost their son last weekend.
• Brandon Rowell as he continues to wait for treatment for his back.
• For those who try to be a "shining light" for Jesus to friends who are stumbling around in the "deep darkness".
• Those looking forward to the bright sun of summer but sadly only see the gray of a long winter.

--
Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.com/
www.facebook.com/celebration.muskegon
(231) 571-413

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