I ask for your prayers today. Sunday begins the start of a difficult but very important sermon series, "Things God Cares About". Truly, God cares about you but he also cares about the things you do in life. Our response to Jesus and his love involves loving other people. This is where we often get tripped up. Over the next several Sundays we will look at hot button topics such as racial discrimination, abuse, abortion, and even homosexuality!
This is where you come in: please pray for God to move us greatly during this series. It is filled with so much potential to bring healing, peace, and forgiveness into many lives. It also has the potential to harden attitudes, turn people away from Jesus, and distract us from loving others. Please pray for God to soften hearts, open minds, and shower his love on us all. Thanks for your prayers.
1. CALENDAR EVENTS
- TONIGHT, Work Night at Church, 4:00-8:00PM. Carpeting and organizing and projects for people of all ages!
- SUNDAY, Adult Sunday School, 9:00AM! Our class is continuing through the quite tangible book of 1 Peter.
- SUNDAY, Prayer Time, 9:30AM in the prayer room just off the worship center before the worship service.
- SUNDAY, Congregational meeting, after morning worship. The Vision Team is looking to hire a Director of Worship Arts. We have discussed the need over the past year. At the meeting we will will discuss this decision, the budgetary implications, and the approval of the congregation. A job description will be on the Info booth.
- November 14, Worship and Potluck with Area Churches, 6:00PM. We have been invited to an interdenominational, interracial time of worship and food at Bethel-New Life Church at 1218 Ransom St, Muskegon. Put it on your calendar because it is going to be a great time!
2. YOUTH MINISTRIES
- Tonight, Wednesday Night Youth Ministries. Little Peeps = Lesson: "Son of Laughter-God's Promise to Abraham"; GEMS = Lesson: "Secure in His Hands" (John 10:28) and Fall Craft Night; Cadets = Project night; Middle School = "If Jesus was God, why did he have to die?"
- SUNDAY, High School Youth Group at Calvin Church, 6:00-8:30PM. Dinner is provided. Contact Pastor Matt for more details.
- Nov. 4, Family Service Night, 6:30-8:00PM. Your entire family is invited to serve with us in the McLaughlin Neighborhood. Meet at 1191 Sanford (near Muskegon High School) at 6:30pm (there is a parking lot right around the corner) we will not meet at church. Bring: clothes that can get dirty and painting supplies if you have them (brush, roller, etc..) We will be painting, cleaning up, and raking (if the weather is nice) at two homes.
3. SUNDAY
Our God cares about us. That is a given. But God cares about so many other things that we do not pay as much attention to. Invite a friend Sunday as we begin a new series, "Things God Cares About".
4. ATTENTION PREGNANT WOMEN:
Muskegon Pregnancy Services is looking for women who are LESS than 20 weeks pregnant to serve as models for ultrasound training. Modeling entails having an ultrasound during a training session for 2 new nurse/sonographers. The ultrasound is free and models will get a picture to take home and a baby gift. The training will take place during the week of October 19th through October 22nd. Your service will help equip our medical team, and you get to see your preborn baby! Call right away to schedule a time slot 231-726-2677.
5. GLENSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS
- Oct. 24 - Halloween Party at McGraft Park, 1:00-4:00PM. Look for the sign up sheet at the info booth where we can help our community. There will be carnival games and prizes, a costume contest, crafts, pizza, a balloon artist, face painters, and a performance by a juggler/musician/ventriloquist! The event is free, but families are asked to bring 2 non-perishables to donate to a local food pantry.
Thank God for:
- Improved health of Sandy Leutscher (friend of Paul Crum) who was having heart problems.
- "Pray for our Praise Team. It rocks!"
- Ivy Drudgeon who is back to school and recovering after a bout with viral meningitis.
- God's mercy that he gives us when we least deserve it.
- The guests God he has brought to Celebration this past month.
- For God's grace that sets people free.- The excitement surrounding our building project! YAY Carpeting!
- For the people God puts in our path each day.
- Thank you God for the Church as a whole and in it's small local location at Celebration.
Pray for:
- Pray for the people of New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Muskegon Heights. May God bless Pastor Andre Williams who is a young pastor. May God's Spirit guide him and his church.
- Pray for those in difficult work environments.
- Emma Orr, the 7 year old daughter of Chuck and Pam Serene's friend. May God heal her cancer in her shoulders, hips, and left thigh. Pray for the cancer to shrink in her abdomen so they can remove it.
- Jim Espinoza asked for prayers of a Conservation Officer friend who was shot with a crossbow while in the line of duty.
- Paul Crum asked for prayers for his Uncle Don who has a bladder infection. He says thanks for praying for his friend Sandy whose health has improved.
- The events the Fellowship Team is planning. May they be what people need as a community and helpful for our guests too.
- Pray for those who have been battered by the comments of others. May God give them strength to continue with him.
- Ivy Dudgeon asks for prayers for "those battling their inner demons - may God hear their prayers."
- Our family members who don't know Jesus. These people are dear to our hearts and we hurt for them.
- Those who recently received employment! We celebrate with you.
- Those who are looking for work and are frustrated.
- Friends who need help with their anger issues.
- Pray for the deep pains and hurts of abuse from the past that continue to haunt some people in the present.
- Pray for people looking for ways to grow in their journey with Jesus.
- The person who wants to stop smoking by 10/20/2015.
- Those who need roofs over their heads, food, and money to pay their bills.
- Friends who have many questions about faith in Jesus. May they seek and find peace and comfort and purpose in a relationship with Jesus.
- Prison ministries and their impact on the lives of offenders and their families.
- Those in or getting out of unhealthy abusive relationships.
- Those who continue to battle their addiction and the triggers.
- Those who are learning to let God control all of the areas of their life. May God give them the strength and the will to follow Jesus wherever he leads.
- Those who are struggling with forgiving others due to past wrongs against them.
- Those struggling financially.
- All of the unspoken prayers on our hearts that only God knows.
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1. Christmas Eve at 6:30PM - Remember to invite a friend to our Christmas Eve celebration on Thursday night. It is so important to remember the real reason for all of the presents under the tree and this season of giving.
