Thanksgiving Week Update

Dearest Celebration,
Is it still unclear to us in the USA that we have so much for which to be thankful? Sometimes. I like the way the Apostle Paul encouraged his readers who had much less than we do. In Colossians 3:15, stuffed between his thoughts on the peace of Christ and the word of Christ, Paul simply says, "And be thankful." No big guilt trips given. No frustrated anger over whiny selfish attitudes. Just a command: be thankful. We are surrounded by the peace of Christ and the word of Christ. Let us be thankful both this week and those to follow!

1. Events
- Tonight, Thanksgiving Eve Service at 6:30PM at church.
- Sunday, Adult Sunday School, 9:00AM in the Nursery.
- Monday, Dec. 1, Vision Team Meeting, 6:30PM at Ring's.
- Wednesday, Dec. 3, Book Club, 6:30PM at Verdoni's. We're reading "In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson.
- Dec. 6, Food Truck at Calvin Church, Saturday, 8:00-10:00AM. Help distribute food to those who need it.
- Dec. 14, Annual Congregational Meeting, Sunday after worship. Copies of the proposed budget are available on the Information Table. Contact your elder if you have any questions.

2. Sunday - Meh? It's the too common feeling of apathy and unconcern. Are we that way toward God? Join us as we conclude our series "We've Got Mail" and what Jesus says to Celebration Church from the book of Revelation.

3. T-Shirt Sale - This is the last week! Until Dec 1, get a T-Shirt, Long Sleeve T, or Hooded sweatshirt for Christmas! The costs range from $16-$36. All proceeds go to the building fund. Go to:www.bonfirefunds.com/celebration-church-building-fund. As of today we have 18 shirts sold already!

4. Baby Basics Help - Our supply of baby toiletries is severely depleted. We need baby wash, lotion, wipes and diapers. Receiving blankets and cozy crib blankets are also in low supply. New or very gently used newborn to 9 month old sleepers/outfits plus small infant rattles/toys make our "bags" special for these needy new moms. Thanks for your help!!

5. Miracle of Christmas - Every part of the Christmas story reveals a miracle. We can easily miss it if we don't look for it. Our Advent series this December asks us to consider how the miracle of Christ's coming into the world changed history, brought peace and hope of salvation, and impacts you personally. Invite a friend to hear of the "Miracle of Christmas"!

6. Prayer - Take some time to pray for:
- Pray for those coming to the Thanksgiving service on Wednesday at 6:30PM. May God continue to bless us all and give us all that we need!
- That God would bless all the families getting together for Thanksgiving.
- For unexpected money issues.
- Pam Williamson's friend Dave after his wife Diana died on Oct. 5. May he find peace and comfort during the grieving process.
- Prayers for families that seem to be falling apart.
- Marilee Schut as she continues to heal from her foot surgery.
- Those feeling stressed out at work and in need of Gods hand of encouragement.
- Thanks for those who have difficulty in life but continue to say that God is good.
- Bill Essenberg as he is in the middle of his 2 month cancer treatments.
- Those in the midst of relational issues.
- Celebration’s building project and closing the gap needed to begin.
- Those looking for employment.
- The unspoken prayers of our hearts that only God knows.
- 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.
- Brian and Sue Vredevoogd ask for prayers for their friend Frank who has had his cancer come back.
- Harold West gave prayers of thanks for Janet Sykes, his resident who fell and was in a coma after a lot of blood loss. She returned home this past week.
- Nate Meyer, son of Bob and Kathy, has improved enough to be moved to Mary Free Bed after his accident.
- Pray for those who still grieve after the loss of loved ones. May they seek even more after our Comforter during the holidays.
- Pray for Congregational meeting scheduled for Dec. 14. The budget will be presented and updates given on several ministries.

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

Events, Shirts, and Prayers

Does it seem odd to anyone else that we only have one day where we focus on being thankful? We set up gatherings and parties so that we can celebrate our thankfulness. We even prepare to be thankful. Maybe we have lost the big picture. It is difficult to remain thankful during the daily stress of life. Being thankful does take effort to make it a habit and Jesus hopes that we will make this habit. 1 Corinthians 5:18 says "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." May you prepare for a life filled with Thanksgiving each and every day!

1. Events
- Tonight, Youth Ministries at Calvin Church, CANCELLED due to the weather.
- Sunday, Adult Sunday School, 9:00AM in the Nursery.
- Monday, Pray Muskegon! Pray for our city on the 24th!
- Tuesday, Iron Man Group, 6:30PM at church.
- Wednesday, Thanksgiving Eve Service, Nov. 26 at 6:30PM.
- Dec. 1, Vision Team Meeting, 6:30PM at Ring's.
- Dec. 3, Book Club, 6:30PM at Verdoni's. We're reading "In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson.

2. T-Shirt Sale - NOV 11- Dec 1 ONLY. Get a T-Shirt, Long Sleeve T, or Hooded sweatshirt for Christmas! The costs range from $16-$36. All proceeds go to the building fund. Go to:  www.bonfirefunds.com/celebration-church-building-fund. 
 As of today we have 9 shirts sold already!

3. Prayer - Take some time to pray for:
- Please pray for Jim Ring and his family with the passing of Jim's dad last week. The funeral will be held Saturday, November 22 at 10:30AM in Vicksburg, MI. The internment will be on Monday, November 24 at 1:00PM at Ever Rest Cemetery in Muskegon.
- For those dealing with unexpected money issues.
- Lakeside CRC in Ludington requests prayers as they celebrate the ordination of their Pastor Cynthia DeJong on Saturday, November 22.
- Those grieving from the loss of loved ones.
- Prayers for families that seem to be falling apart.
- Those looking for employment.
- Marilee Schut as she continues to heal from her foot surgery.
- Those dealing with loneliness and depression.
- Those feeling stressed out at work and in need of Gods hand of encouragement.
- Thanks for those who have difficulty in life but continue to say that God is good.
- Bill Essenberg as he is in the middle of his 2 months of cancer treatments.
- Celebration’s building project and closing the gap needed to begin.
- The unspoken prayers of our hearts that only God knows.


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

6 Things To Know This Week

Yesterday was Veteran's Day. It is a day we honor all of our veterans of the armed forces. We thank those who have served and sacrificed. Yet, we also look forward to the day when we will no longer need the armed forces. We yearn for the day when peace covers the earth. God's peace! The peace that breaks down all barriers and rights every wrong. God's peace that exists everywhere that God reigns. And this peace will know no end. "Come Lord Jesus. Bring your permanent perfect peace that passes all understanding!"

1. Events 

- Tonight, Youth Ministries at Calvin Church, 6:30-8:00PM. NOTE: We are doing a non perishable food drive to benefit the food pantry at LOVE INC. We will collect food tonight and next Wednesday.
- Sunday, Adult Sunday School, 9:00AM in the Nursery.
- Monday, Council Meeting, Nov. 17 at 6:30PM at church.
- Wednesday, Thanksgiving Eve Service, Nov. 26 at 6:30PM.
- Wednesday, Book Club, December 3 at 6:30PM at Verdoni's. We're reading "In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson.

2. T-Shirt Sale - NOV 11- Dec 2 ONLY. Get a T-Shirt, Long Sleeve T, or Hoodie for Christmas! The costs range from $16-$36. All proceeds go to the building fund. Go to: www.bonfirefunds.com/celebration-church-building-fund!

3. WMC Fall Play – Friday & Saturday, Nov.14/15, 7:30PM. Our very own Al Schut is directing the hilarious comedy “The Curious Savage”. Tickets are in the school office--$4 for students and $6 for adults. It is a funny play that will leave you with the feeling that kindness and affection have not been lost in a world that seems motivated at times only by greed and dishonesty.

4. Adoption Benefit - Sunday, Nov. 16, 4:30pm-8:00pm. This catered dinner & silent auction at the Century Club is to raise funds for Bethany Christian Services for Brandon & Charlene Beck's Domestic Infant Adoption. Anyone is welcome to attend, tickets may be purchased at: www.westmibenefits.org. Dinner: $30 per person, Dinner with drinks: $35.

5. Sign! - Did you notice the new Celebration Community Church sign along Sherman Blvd?  It lights up! It lights up too! Thanks to Eric Fifolt and all the others who helped design, create, and donate it to church! Yay!

6. Prayer - Take some time to pray for:
- Lakeside CRC in Ludington requests prayers as they celebrate the ordination of their Pastor Cynthia DeJong on Saturday, November 22.
- Pam WIlliamson's friend Dave after his wife Diana died on Oct. 5. May he find peace and comfort during the grieving process.
- Jim DuRose is also grieving from the loss of his wife Joyce.
- Prayers for families that seem to be falling apart.
- Natalie Sims in her search for work. Also, her grandson Colton is doing well and out of the hospital.
- Prayers of thanksgiving and praise at Baby Gabe Beck who came home last week from the hospital.
- Prayers for Harold who will preach next Sunday and Pastor Matt and the band who will lead the music. Pray for both as they prepare and listen for God's leading.
- Marilee Schut as she continues to heal from her foot surgery.
- Congratulations to Amie Anderson who is now the Dean of Students at Delta College!
- The victorious Candidates who were elected this past Tuesday. May they seek God for wisdom and Discernment in making bold leadership decisions in our country.
- Sue DeBoer’s granddaughter, Audrey, who has been doing quite well and her white blood counts are high!
- Those dealing with loneliness and depression.
- Jim Ring’s dad who is not doing well after his hip fracture last month.
- Those feeling stressed out at work and in need of Gods hand of encouragement.
- The families of the recent victims shot to death in Muskegon Heights as they deal with the loss of loved ones.
- Thanks for those who have difficulty in life but continue to say that God is good.
- Bill Essenberg as he started his 2 month cancer treatments.
- Celebration’s building project.
- Those looking for employment.
- For unexpected money issues.
- The unspoken prayers of our hearts that only God knows.


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

4 Things to Know This Week

I type this email with the words of Ecclesiastes 5:2 in my head, "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." After all of the news items and prayers in this email, may we stand before God and not say much! Let us bask in his presence while we enjoy his company and words for us.

1. Events -
- Sunday, Adult Sunday School, 9:00AM in the Nursery.
- Tuesday, Iron Man Group, Nov. 11 at 6:30 pm at church.
- Wednesday, Youth Ministries, at 6:30PM at Calvin Church. This is open to children ages 4 through 8th grade.

2. Sunday - "How did we go wrong? Where was the first step of compromise?" When we do not address the little problems, they become big problems with quite serious consequences. Invite a friend to our new series, "We've Got Mail" as we look at what this means for us as a church today. (Revelation 2:18-29)

3. Adoption Benefit - This is a catered dinner & silent auction to raise funds for Bethany Christian Services for Brandon & Charlene Beck's Domestic Infant Adoption. Sunday, November 16th from 4:30pm-8:00pm at the Century Club in downtown Muskegon. Anyone is welcome to attend, tickets may be purchased at: www.westmibenefits.org by November 9th. Dinner: $30 per person, Dinner with drinks: $35. This event is being hosted by Tyler & Rachel Cebulla.

4. Prayers - Please take time to pray for:
- The victorious candidates who were elected this past Tuesday. Regardless of which party affiliation, may they seek God for wisdom and discernment in making bold leadership decisions in our country.
- The families of the recent victims shot to death in Muskegon Heights as they deal with the loss of loved ones. Oh that the violence would end!
- Those dealing with loneliness and depression.
- Carla Eenigenburg’s Aunt Lillian began her chemo treatments this week. Thank God for generous people at her church who are helping her through this time with encouragement transportation, and meals.
- The unspoken prayers of our hearts that only God knows.
- Those feeling stressed out at work and in need of Gods hand of encouragement.
- Sue DeBoer's granddaughter, Audrey, who has been doing quite well and her white blood counts are high!
- The families of the recent victims shot to death in Muskegon Heights as they deal with the loss of loved ones.
- Our “Snow Birds” who are leaving or have left for warmer climates during the winter. May God use them for great things during their season away from us.
- Terry Lacy’s mom who was diagnosed with Hepatitis A.
- Thanks for those who have difficulty in life but continue to say that God is good.
- Bill Essenberg as he started his 2 months of cancer treatments.
- Those in the midst of relational issues.
- Congratulations to Amie Anderson who is now the Dean of Students at Delta College!
- The DuRose family at the loss of Steve’s mom, Joyce. May god give them the comfort they seek.
- Jim Ring's dad who is not doing well after his hip fracture last month.
- Judy Irish’s Mom as she continues to regain mobility.
- Celebration’s building project.
- Those still looking for employment.
- For unexpected money issues.



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