I just read an article about the terrorist group ISIS. Should we pray for their defeat or for their conversion? Are these 2 mutually exclusive prayers? We get lost in the destruction of bad people and can only think of God's justice being poured out on extremists who behead 21 Christians for not denying Jesus. The recent events by ISIS happen around the world all the time. Christians are to stand up to injustice and care for the powerless (Isaiah 1:17). Peace will not be reality until evil groups like ISIS are defeated.
However, the thing that sets Christians apart is their love, even for their enemies. Jesus said to pray for those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44). How can we, who were enemies of God, not pray that God save other enemies with his grace as well?
SO, pray for justice to be done and evil to be stopped. May we also pray that God would change hearts of ISIS terrorists like Saul of Tarsus who became Paul, a mighty warrior for God (Acts 9)! These are not contradictory prayers. They are the prayers of God's people, saved by his grace and living as followers of Jesus in an evil world.
1. Noteworthy Events
3. Celebration Drama - Do you have a love for acting? Are you interested in using your dramatic skills to help prepare people's hearts for worship here at Celebration? We are planning a few short dramatic sketches to be presented during worship over the next few months and will be looking for interested people to be part of the Celebration Players drama team. If this interests you, come to a short meeting after church on Sunday, March 8 for more information, or email Al Schut at ajschut@comcast.net.
- SUNDAY, Adult Sunday School, 9:00AM in the Nursery. Join us as we journey through Corinth.
- SUNDAY, Fellowship Team Meeting after worship.
- MONDAY, Council Meeting, 6:30PM at church.
- March 13, Family Game Night. Friday is for games that the entire family will enjoy! Join us at 5:30PM for hot dogs followed by lots of games..
- March 28, Wild Game Dinner.
2. Youth Ministries
- No Student Ministries tonight.
- SUNDAY, High School Youth Group at Calvin Church, 6:00-8:00PM. Starts with dinner!
- March 13-14, Middle School "Intersect Lock-In".
3. Celebration Drama - Do you have a love for acting? Are you interested in using your dramatic skills to help prepare people's hearts for worship here at Celebration? We are planning a few short dramatic sketches to be presented during worship over the next few months and will be looking for interested people to be part of the Celebration Players drama team. If this interests you, come to a short meeting after church on Sunday, March 8 for more information, or email Al Schut at ajschut@comcast.net.
4. Other Announcements - Volunteers are needed to help at a "Friendship Ministries Carnival" on Thursday, March 12 at Calvin CRC. Help out at the carnival and have a ton of fun as you serve! Contact Sharon or Doug Bergman for more info: dsberg79@comcast.net.
5. Prayers
- Pray for Roger and Brenda Doctor at the passing away of Roger's dad Clarence "Bud" Doctor on Tuesday. The funeral arrangements have not been set yet.
- Tim Maat asked for prayers for the wife and family of Joe Gabriel who is a detective with the Muskegon County Sheriff Department. Joe underwent brain surgery to remove several tumors but died this afternoon.
- Pastor Matt gives his thanks for your prayers for him and his family during their trip to MN last week. Thanks also for the prayers of his pastor friend Archie's family and his church too.
- Pray for peace in light of the increasing unrest in the Ukraine.
- Pray for the Christians all over the world who are being persecuted and killed.
- Pray for justice to be done for those who are cruel to the powerless and weak whether they are animals or humans.
- Pray for justice to be done for those who are cruel to the powerless and weak whether they are animals or humans.
- Pray for Ruth Hinajosa who will be traveling to Texas soon to visit family. Pray for good weather for a safe flight both there and back.
- Linda Bergman gives prayers of thanks for the seizures that have stopped for her granddaughter Kennedy due to her medication.
- Pray for those of us who struggle to feel the Lord's presence, love and protection each and every day.
- Duane Blohm's shoulder surgery is scheduled for this Thursday, March 5.
- Pray that each believer at Celebration would know and understand their purpose, and calling in the Kingdom of God.
- Pray for miracles to happen in families because only God can bring them peace.
- Pray for the unspoken problem in our lives that we need God's guidance and direction to resolve.
- Pray for the difficult people in our lives that make for tough days at work or at home. Pray that God gives strength and grace to show love to them.
- Pray for renewal that is presently happening in the lives of people at Celebration. Pray for renewal to happen in all of our lives.
- Jenny Merritt's Grandma who died last week. May God comfort her and her family in this time of loss.
- Bob Jackson's girlfriend's son was in a car accident and is recovering. Bob's brother in law is experiencing kidney failure and battling Leukemia at the same time. Bob's sister is not taking it well.
- Pray for those who are experiencing grief from the loss of loved ones this year.
- We pray for those in abusive relationships that don't see a way out.
- We pray for conflicts to be resolved and peace to be restored in several relationships.
- Pray for Roger Doctor will have hip surgery on March 16.
Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.org
Like us on Facebook!
(231) 571-4137
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.org
Like us on Facebook!
(231) 571-4137
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