2016 Post Easter Midweek Update

It is one week after Easter!  Jesus has still alive because he arose from the dead!  You still have been given the only way to become right with God!  You still have been assured forgiveness of sins through the work of Jesus!  You still have a story to tell your world because of the new life in your life!  Even one week after Easter, life is good!

1. OTHER IMPORTANT CALENDAR ITEMS

• April 3, The Seekers Small Group and New Small Groups will meet after the worship service.
• April 3, Creativity Team Meeting after the worship service.
• April 4, Council/Vision Team Meeting, 6:30PM at church.
• April 10, Baked Potato Bar after worship!
• April 17, Fellowship Team Meeting after church.
• Adult Sunday School class will resume April 27 at 9:00AM.

2. STUDENT MINISTRY

• TONIGHT, Family Service Night, 6:30-8:00PM.  We will go directly to Mike Miller Garden at 257 Muskegon Ave (across from Central United Methodist Church).  JOBS: raking mulch, cutting out sod, spreading concrete fill, weeding prairie grass, etc. BRING:  Rake, square-ended shovel, spade, hoe, trowel, and/or wheel barrow.  Thanks for helping to be Jesus' hands and feet in Muskegon!

3. FEEDING AMERICA FOOD TRUCK
When:  Saturday, April 23rd 9:00--‐11:00am
Where:  Calvin CRC Parking Lot
Who:  Bring the whole family and help us serve the hungry in our local community!!!

4. PRAYERS

• We ask you as part of the Celebration community to keep Lilia DuRose and her family in your prayers at the passing of her dad in the Ukraine on Tuesday.
• "Pray for upgrades in many areas of my life: Spirtually, job, and family."
• May God give guidance to couples in dating relationships.
• Pray for safety for those traveling during Spring Break.
• On one card: "Those who seek death find joy and happiness."
• Lacey Kremmel writes, "Prayers for peace as my family has many struggles going on right now."
• Pray for the selection of leaders at Celebration in the next few months.
• Pray for those who went to church on Easter who normally don't go.  May God do a work in their heart!

--

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

Holy Week Update!

According to Thom Rainer, 82% or people are somewhat likely to go to church if invited!  Isn't this great!  Your friend who you have been praying for is 82% somewhat likely to come to church and hear the gospel if you ask them!  During Holy Week you have 3 opportunities to invite your friend:

1. Maundy Thursday Service at Forest Park Covenant Church at 6:30PM
2. Good Friday Service at New Hope Baptist Church at 6:30PM (dinner at 5:15PM!)
3. Easter Morning Service at Celebration at 10:30AM (breakfast starts at 9:30AM)!

This is a great week to invite your friend to church!

1. OTHER IMPORTANT CALENDAR ITEMS

• Adult Sunday School class will resume April 27 at 9:00AM.
• April 3, The Seekers Small Group and New Small Groups will meet after the worship service.

2. STUDENT MINISTRY

• TONIGHT, Wednesday Night Youth Ministries, 6:30-8:00PM at Calvin Church. The evening begins with an Easter Egg Hunt for infants through middle school students.  Bring a friend and an Easter Basket!  Wednesday evening groups will meet as usual following the event. Little Peeps = Lesson:"The Sun Stops Shining"; GEMS = Lesson: One Body 1 Corinthians 12:27;Cadets = Game/Movie Night!; Middle School = Lesson: "Darkness Comes; Sunday is Coming".
• March 30, Family Service Night, 6:30-8:00PM.  We will go directly to Mike Miller Garden at 257 Muskegon Ave (across from Central United Methodist Church).  JOBS: raking mulch, cutting out sod, spreading concrete fill, weeding prairie grass, etc. BRING:  Rake, square-ended shovel, spade, hoe, trowel, and/or wheel barrow.  Thanks for helping to be Jesus' hands and feet in Muskegon!

3. Hospitality Team News

Do you remember the cans and bottles you have been bringing in and placing in the cardboard box by the kitchen?  This past week we brought them in for $37.20!  This money goes to buy the coffee and refreshments after church!  THANKS!

4. PRAYERS

• Pray for our nation and the elections this year.
• Ruth Hinajosa’s sister Lela who is having serious issues with her knee after having surgery.
• Pray for all parents who have concerns about their children, both young and adults.
• Praise God for good weeks at work!
• Pray for Todd who is receiving treatment for esophageal cancer. 
• Praise God for Patti Lacey being able to walk outside in the woods again.  Her back and knee are doing much better.
• Pray for the prisoners who will be released because they often have no or minimal skills to succeed in life outside of prison.
• Pray for Linda Bergman’s 17-year-old grandson Kyler who will be flying to Dubai on Spring break to visit his father, who is working there.  
• Praise God for all those who feel blessed in life!
• Matthew DuRose asks for focus through the end of the school year.
• Pray for Lilia DuRose’s mother who is still in the hospital with heart issues but is doing better.  Pray for peace, healing, and strength for her dad and her niece.
• Linda Bergman’s granddaughter’s uncle was seriously injured in a fall from a tree and needs our prayers.
• Praise God for Paula Blohm's blood pressure to be back to normal.  She will also be on diabetes medication and it will take some time before she knows if it is working.  
• Praise God for new teeth!
• Pray for Deb Mart's friend Dave who goes to UofM seeking answers to tests and a plan to battle his cancer.
• Pray for Kim Rhodes' son who is adopting a baby which is due April 20.
• Pray for Ed and Gayle Cohea's son who is ready to graduate from Army Infantry training and will be awaiting deployment overseas..  Pray for his protection, trust in the Father, and he would honor God by his good example.
• Pray for those with anger and hurt because of relational turmoil.
• "Pray for deliverance of addiction."
• Eve Zwolinski asked for prayers for her son Nicolai who is going to court to get custody of his son.  Pray also for her other 2 sons who are dealing with some heavy issues.
• May God bless all our efforts to lead people to know Jesus better!
• Pray for Brenda Doctor's dad.  His health is not good and his wife died last week.  

Celebration Midweek - March 16

Quote for the day: “A faith that moves mountains is a faith that expands horizons, it does not bring us into a smaller world full of easy answers, but into a larger one where there is room for wonder.” (Rich Mullins)

Jesus didn't die so we could inherit a  simple set of rules to follow.  Our faith in Jesus brings us face to face with harder questions and even gray areas of life.  My your faith continually help you wrestle with questions like this and more: "How did God do that?"  "Why must they suffer so?"  "How can I love this unlovable person?"  or "What is really important in my life?"

1. OTHER IMPORTANT CALENDAR ITEMS

• SATURDAY, Grown Up Game Night, 7:00PM.  Come for a night of euchre and other games!  Bring $2 in quarters.
• SUNDAY, Adult Sunday School class begins at 9:00AM.  We will read through the Gospel of John as we approach Passion Week.
• SUNDAY, The Seekers Small Group meets after the worship service.
• March 24, Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service, 7:00PM.  We will join with other churches in the area at Forest Park Covenant church for worship.  You will want to bring a friend!
• March 25, Good Friday Service at New Hope Baptist Church.  We will have dinner at 5:15PM and the worship service will start at 6:30PM.
• March 27, Easter Breakfast, 9:30AM.  Start off your Easter with a breakfast before worship.  

2. STUDENT MINISTRY

• TONIGHT, Wednesday Night Youth Ministries, 6:30-8:00PM at Calvin Church.  Little Peeps = Lesson:"A Dark Night in teh Garden; GEMS = Music Appreciation;Cadets = Finish Pinewood Derby Cars and test run.  Parents welcome!; Middle School = Lesson: "Our SIn; Jesus' Love".
• SUNDAY, High School Youth Group at Calvin Church, 6:00-8:30PM. Dinner is provided.  Contact Pastor Matt for more details.
• March 23, Easter Egg Hunt at 6:30pm sharp.This is for infants through middle school students.  Bring a friend and an Easter Basket!  Wednesday evening groups will meet as usual following the event.
• March 30, Family Service Night, 6:30-8:00PM.  We will go directly to Mike Miller Garden at 257 Muskegon Ave (across from Central United Methodist Church).  JOBS: raking mulch, cutting out sod, spreading concrete fill, weeding prairie grass, etc. BRING:  Rake, square-ended shovel, spade, hoe, trowel, and/or wheel barrow.  Thanks for helping to be Jesus' hands and feet in Muskegon!

3. EASTER HELP

The Glenside Easter Egg hunt is Saturday, March 26 at McGraft Park.  You would be a great help in our community.  Contact Pastor Matt for more details.

4. CHALLENGE - Remember our "5 Minute Challenge".  We try to invest 5 minutes each Sunday after the service to meet someone new.  Sometimes they are guests and sometimes we haven't spoken to them before.  You're doing well!  Keep it going!

5. PRAYERS

• Pray for those with anger and hurt because of relational turmoil.
• "Pray for deliverance of addiction."
• Pray for the students learning to drive.
• Pray for healthy resolutions to workplace dramas.
• Praise God for employment.
• Eve Zwolinski asked for prayers for her son who is going to court to get custody of his son.  Pray also for her other 2 sons who are dealing with some heavy issues.
• Mike Straley asked for prayers for the Orchard View Congregational Church.  May God renew them and give them life.
• May God bless all our efforts to lead people to know Jesus better!
• Pray for Brenda Doctor's dad.  His health is not good and his wife died last week.  
• Thank God for the community in small groups which God is using to transform lives.
• Pray that God will help us to be a better husbands and wives.
• Lynn Pluger went to Detroit on Tuesday for treatment.  She remains stable but they have not eliminated her Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  May they find clarity for future treatment options..
• Pastor Matt asks for great things to come from Passion Week.  May God bless the preparations and speak into the hearts of many people at these special services.

--

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

Celebration Midweek - March 9

Purpose.  One of the first questions I have in life is "What's the purpose of___?" For me, purpose drives action.  For instance, what is the purpose of this weekly email?  We want people to be informed so they can actively be involved.  When people know events each week they can actively plan their calendar accordingly.  When they know the prayer requests they can actively pray for the person and maybe even meet their needs.  Hopefully purpose drives our actions in all areas of life.

1. OTHER IMPORTANT CALENDAR ITEMS

• SATURDAY, Lumberjacks Hockey Game, 7:15PM.  Join us as the Lumberjacks take on the Sioux City Musketeers.
• SUNDAY, Adult Sunday School class begins at 9:00AM.  We will read through the Gospel of John as we approach Passion Week.
• SUNDAY, The New Small Group meets after the worship service.
• March 19, Grown Up Game Night, 7:00PM.  Come for a night of euchre and other games!
• March 24, Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service, 7:00PM.  We will join with other churches in the area at Forest Park Covenant church for worship.  You will want to bring a friend!
• March 25, Good Friday Service at New Hope Baptist Church.  We will have dinner at 6:00PM and the worship service will start at 7:00PM.
• March 27, Easter Breakfast, 9:30AM.  Start off your Easter with a breakfast before worship.  Contact Sharon Bergman if you are interested in purchasing Easter flowers for the stage.

2. STUDENT MINISTRY

• TONIGHT, Wednesday Night Youth Ministries, 6:30-8:00PM at Calvin Church.  Little Peeps = Lesson:"The Servant King!"; GEMS = Lesson: "God’s word is forever-Isaiah 40:8"  Craft: Infinity Dragon Fly”;Cadets = Paint Pinewood Derby Cars.  Parents welcome!; Middle School = Lesson: "Understanding the Old Covenant & New Covenant and the need for Jesus"
• SUNDAY, High School Youth Group at Calvin Church, 6:00-8:30PM. Dinner is provided.  Contact Pastor Matt for more details.
• March 23, Easter Egg Hunt at 6:30pm sharp.This is for infants through middle school students.  Bring a friend and an Easter Basket!  Wednesday evening groups will meet as usual following the event.
• March 30, Family Service Night, 6:30-8:00PM.  We will go directly to Mike Miller Garden at 257 Muskegon Ave (across from Central United Methodist Church).  JOBS: raking mulch, cutting out sod, spreading concrete fill, weeding prairie grass, etc. BRING:  Rake, square-ended shovel, spade, hoe, trowel, and/or wheel barrow.  Thanks for helping to be Jesus' hands and feet in Muskegon!

3. CHALLENGE - Remember our "5 Minute Challenge".  We try to invest 5 minutes each Sunday after the service to meet someone new.  Sometimes they are guests and sometimes we haven't spoken to them before.  You're doing well!  Keep it going!

4. EASTER HELP

The Glenside Easter Egg hunt is Saturday, March 26 at McGraft Park.  You would be a great help in our community.

5. PRAYERS

• Pray for our co-workers who do not know Jesus...yet!
• Steve DuRose asks for prayers for his two aunts and an uncle who are all battling cancer. 
• Lilia DuRose praises God for answered prayers with her relatives in the Ukraine.
• Pray for Matthew DuRose’s math team which is headed to Grand Valley State College for the State Math Competition on Saturday.  
• Pray for our nation selecting the right presidential candidate who will honor God.  
• Pray for family members who seem to be moving away from God.
• Pray for our small groups which have blessed people with a deeper family than they ever thought possible.  
• Pray for opportunities to shine Jesus into the lives of others.
• Patti Lacy asks for healing to her back and knee.
• Pray God's peace for Brenda Doctor at the unexpected loss of her mom.
• Pray for continued healing of Jim Ring.
• From Communication Card of first time guest: "To return to my deep belief and faith in Jesus."  "Pray for for recovery and for deliverance!!!"  Pray for my son to find peace in the Lord."
• "Pray for Hunter, a young man, 14, diagnosed with bone cancer."
• Deb Mart's brother will find results of her brother's cancer tests this week.  May the cancer be confined to his prostate and not spread.
• Praise God because Linda Bergman has a new great-niece!  
• Pray that we all find joy in our work.
• Praise God because Terry Lacy’s gall bladder issues are better and are under control right now.
• Pray for tense work environments which add drama and stress in our lives.
• Praise God for Paula Blohm's blood pressure medication which has brought it under control.  Pray for her management of her diabetes.
• Pray for the planning and preparation for Passion week events.

 

-- 

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

4 Important Things for This Week!

“Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea until he has something to forgive.” (C.S. Lewis)  One of the main reasons Christians feel dry spiritually or disconnected relationaly is due to unforgiveness.  This stems from events of the past which have never fully been resolved.  These events are with family members, friends, church members, or even God.  Even more, forgiveness is about freedom.  First, setting your heart free from the pain, stress, and anger of the past.  Then freeing the one in need of forgiveness.  I pray for the power of God's Spirit to help you break free from the shackles of unforgiveness.

1. OTHER IMPORTANT CALENDAR ITEMS

• SUNDAY, Adult Sunday School class begins at 9:00AM.  We will read through the Gospel of John as we approach Passion Week.
• SUNDAY, The Seekers Small Group meets after the worship service.
• March 8, Book Club, 6:30PM at Mango's.  We are reading "The Prisoner of Heaven" by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.  
• March 12, Lumberjacks Hockey Game, 7:15PM.  Join us as the Lumberjacks take on the Sioux City Musketeers. Cost is $8 for adults, $6 for children under 14.  Sign up at the Info Booth!
• March 19, Grown Up Game Night, 7:00PM.  Come for a night of euchre and other games!
• March 24, Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service, 7:00PM.  We will join with other churches in the area at Forest Park Covenant church for worship.  You will want to bring a friend!
• March 27, Easter Breakfast, 9:30AM.  Start off your Easter with a breakfast before worship.  Contact Sharon Bergman if you are interested in purchasing Easter flowers for the stage.

2. STUDENT MINISTRY

• No Youth Ministries Tonight!  It is the first Wednesday on the month so do your homework and spend time with your family!
• SUNDAY, High School Youth Group at Calvin Church, 6:00-8:30PM. Dinner is provided.  Contact Pastor Matt for more details.
• March 30, Family Service Night

3. CHALLENGE - Remember our "5 Minute Challenge".  We try to invest 5 minutes each Sunday after the service to meet someone new.  Sometimes they are guests and sometimes we haven't spoken to them before.  You're doing well!  Keep it going!

4. PRAYERS - Please pray for:

• Deb Mart's brother has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.  He goes in for tests on Wednesday.  Hopefully the cancer has not spread to other areas of his body.
• "I just want to pray for everyone who has lost someone this year or ever.  I know it's hard but it's OK to cry."
• Jenny Merritt's son's grandma died to brain cancer at her home.  It was an aggressive form which they diagnosed only 2 months ago.
• Duane Gray is thankful for all the prayers.  He is recovering from hernia surgery and is looking forward to his new teeth in March.
• Pray for the Muskegon Heights basketball game on Wednesday.  May there be safety for all, a good game, and that people may see a community committed to living without fear.
• Pray for the fun events this month.  May they be exactly what is needed for people who attend them.
• Pray for the community at Celebration.  May we always have time for building up others and making them feel comfortable.
• Pray for Bob Jackson as he will be transitioning to KC in the next couple months. 
• Ron Crabtree asks for prayers for his sister in Oklahoma who became an emergency foster parent on Sunday to a 5-month old and an 11 year old.  Pray they are able to be all God calls them to be to these children and the ones they will get in the future.
• Pray employment opportunities for those without work.
• Pray for those who have committed to Celebration as their new church home!
• Lynn Pluger asked God for a solution for her Hodgkins Lymphoma.  Their present treatment has been frustrating.
• Pray for a stop to all mass shootings in our country.
• Pray for the small groups and their growing closer to God and each other.
• Pray for parents who must discern their role with their adult children who make poor choices in life.
• Pray for patience and discernment for dads and moms as they do their best to be parents.

-- 

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