6 Things You Should Know

Hello Celebration! Here are 6 things that you should know to finish out your week well!

1. Coffee: We have been taking steps to lessen the distractions during the morning worship. We have already asked people who need to leave or return to the service to do so between songs. We thank you for trying to make this work well. With that in mind, starting this Sunday we will close the coffee urns during worship time. You might want to bring your insulated mug from home to make sure you have enough! Thanks for your understanding.
2. Vacation: Pastor Matt will be on vacation next week to Iowa and Minnesota. Contact your elder if you have questions, concerns, or needs.

3. Church Picnic August 4: Our Church Picnic will be at Kruse Park, Shelter #4 after the worship service. Our worship service will be at the church this year and then we will head down to the park for a picnic and games.

4. Sunday: How confident are you in God's timing and direction in your life? How about in the lives of others? Invite a friend to hear about how we are "Transformed by the Spirit" so we can clearly see that God's love is simply irresistible!

5. Prayers: Please pray for:

• Jamie Peterman is recovering from foot surgery.
• Ruth Hinjosa's mom, Dora and Reyes Aunt Gloria are both in the hospital for medical conditions. Reye's Aunt is recovering from open heart surgery and is still in the hospital.
• The Erickson family is healing and in need of peace in this time of divorce and family turmoil.
• Our Children's ministries as we go through some changes.
• Dave and Karen Fisher as Dave is battling with brain cancer, while Karen is still healing from a shattered knee.
• Patty Oliva and her daughter Jessica as they adjust to moving.
• The Dunning family as they grieve the loss of Pat's sister Barb.

6. Oh Yea!: This past week I have seen love and concern showered upon those who were grieving and/or going through tough times.  People took time to sit and talk heart to heart about the pain in their lives.  People were strong for those who were weak.  They were listening ears and non-judgmental voices.  They were shoulders to cry on and sounding boards to hear the deep hurt of others.  This is what church is supposed to look like!  This is another reason why I love my 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

Celebration Midweek

Hopefully you are inside where it is cooler when you get this email! Whew! Summer is here! With that being obvious to all who are near Muskegon, here are 5 things that are important to know this week.

1. Communion Sunday - We will celebrate communion this Sunday! It was always the pastor's duty to encourage people to get things right with others before they tried to get things right with God. Let Mathew 5:23-24 help you prepare for this Sunday.

2. Pulpit Swap, Sunday, July 21 - You are welcome to arrive at 2 Timothy Missionary Baptist Church at NOON on Sunday as we join them in worship. We may be asked to be more actively involved during the service but that is OK. The address is: 1341 S Getty St. (Take Sherman east to Getty. Go north. Church is on the left.)

3. Church Campout, July 26-28 - The Church Campout will be at Crystal Lake Campground in Scottville. You can come up for the weekend or just for a day. Contact Sharon Bergman for more details.

4. Church Picnic - Plan on the church picnic on August 4 after the Sunday worship at Kruse Park, Shelter #4. Our worship service will be at the church this year and then we will head down to the park for a picnic and games.  Contact Connie Cerminaro for more details.

5. Prayers
- For Pat Dunning and her family. Pat's sister Barb died today.
- For prayer for all of the Celebration families.
- For healing for the Young family.
- For the Erickson family that is presently dealing with the very fresh damage and ugly reality of divorce.

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

Questions For Leading Deeper

I did it or at least I think I did.

We are in the middle of a sermon series on Reformed Theology yet I believe that maybe half of the people know it. Maybe less. Maybe they have a healthy perspective of theology. Maybe it isn’t a big deal for them at the moment.

I started out with the hope to help the congregation build a deeper foundation in their understanding of God and their journey through life with Jesus. I thought that it would be important to talk about some of the basics. These are not the “non-negotiables” but rather the “disputable matters” that have good theologians on either side.

But then I began to question my purpose: Is my role only to get the people to think through things, to use their brains? Pastors aren't supposed to tell people what to think? Surely my job is to nudge them in a certain direction, right?

Peace came my way when I remembered a useful saying that one of my informal mentors says, “The main things are the plain things so keep the plain things the main things.” My hope is that we can always lead with a sense of humility in our theology knowing that we do not have it all figured out. Some day when we get to the end of our journey, I want to be able to celebrate that our search to know God deeper did not cause division nor did it distract us from loving others. I want to teach unity on the essentials and freedom where it is needed.

We are only 2 weeks into the 5 week series. I have great resources from which to draw from (Thanks Jim Osterhouse)! I have a great congregation that truly desires to be stretched yet does not want to be told what to think. The conversations have started and I have heard some deeper discussions. My hope remains that the roots grow and great things come from this.  I look forward to where this takes us together!

Celebration Midweek

Here are 5 things that you should know this week!

1. SERVE - You are invited each night of this week to Calvin CRC for SERVE which includes worship by Alex Ribbens and many others from the Ribbens clan, an update by students as to their work in Muskegon during the day, and a message by their speaker for the week. I think it will be worth the time!

2. Layette Ministry - Kathy Meyer wishes to thank all those who helped packing the Layettes (starter kits for new moms). It was great to see all of the clothes, diapers, and other baby care items. Keep them coming!

3. Pulpit Swap - Our visit to 2 Timothy Church after the morning worship was moved to Sunday, July 21st to better accommodates their schedule. Rev. Bass and his church will worship with us on Sunday, August 11. I am looking forward to a great time with them!

4. First CRC Final Celebration - Seeking to give thanks and praise to God’s faithfulness for 146 years of ministry in Muskegon, First CRC would like to invite all former members and friends to join us in a final celebration service on September 15 at 9:30am. Dinner and program will follow. Please RSVP for the dinner to 231-773-1752 or firstcrcmuskegon@frontier.com by September 1.

5. You Were Adopted! - Normally these words are not received well. Invite someone Sunday as we tackle the great news of being adopted by God! (Ephesians 1:3-6)

6. There are many things that happen during a pastor's day.  Some days are pleasant whiles others are filled with greater challenges.  This week has been full of conversations with great leaders, encouragement that was given and received, challenges that were met from a framework of love and care for others, and a re-focusing on the gospel as the main purpose for Celebration Community Church.  Just another reason as to why I love my church!

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

Celebration over the 4th!

Good afternoon Celebration! It was a good time away for the Eenigenburgs and I can honestly say that I looked forward to seeing everyone again. I think that is the sign of a good vacation!

Here are some important notes for the week:

1. Care Teams - In order to better meet the needs of the people at Celebration, we have made the following groups that the elders will serve as leaders. The Care Teams are made by last names:
A-C = Susan DeBoer
D-K = Marc Baird
L-R = Doug Bergman
S-Z = Sue Vredevoogd
Contact your elder or Pastor Matt if you have any questions.

2. Pulpit Swap on July 14 & August 11 - We have made plans to worship with 2 Timothy Church on Getty Street. Pastor Matt will leave after our worship service on Sunday, July 14 to preach at 2 Timothy and Reverend Bass and his congregation will visit Celebration on August 11. Everyone is welcome to be part of the service on the 14th.

3. FAITH Unfolded Series - "Theology doesn't divide churches; people divide churches."  Over the next few weeks we are going to dig into some foundational Biblical truths that shape our understanding of God, our perspective of ourselves, and our interactions with the people around us.  CAUTION: You may be invited to actually use your brains and think at church the next few weeks!  

4. Layette Ministry - Next Tuesday, July 9th at 10 am we will put together layettes for new moms. We are in need of items which include: wipes, baby lotion and wash, powder and diapers. Pick up some of these items and bring them to church on Sunday so we can get them packed up on Tuesday!

5. Prayers:
- For Sue DeBoer's Granddaughter Audrey's white blood count is up dramatically!
- For Sue Vredevoogd's brother in law has 5 bypass surgery today.
- For Doug Bergman's brother had surgery and it went well but there is more surgeries coming for him.

- For Doug's son Rob who has just graduated with his MA in Social Work!
- For the title insurance to be resolved which is the last hurdle in the loan process. Pray that it goes smoothly!
- For Vicky Pratt is looking for peace and resolution to the troubles in her life.
- For Mike Straley continues to recover from surgery.
- For the many broken marriages and relationships all around us that need healing.
- For Jena as she is struggling right now in her placement.
- For the Meyer family as they are facing some challenges and changes in their household. 

- For Jenny Merritt's father as he battles cancer.
- For family members who are on our hearts: Kyle, Chelsea, Mark, and Billy.
- For Duane Shultz's sister-in-law Jodi she was just diagnosed with colon cancer.
- For our nation, our soldiers and our leaders as we celebrate July 4th.

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