6 Things at Celebration for October 9

Recently, someone asked me if other churches send out a weekly communication like ours. I didn't know but I did know that we need it. Churches are usually terrible at keeping people informed and involved in the life of the church. Hopefully this helps you and blesses your day!

1. Taco Bar This Sunday! - Great things happen when people share a meal together! Stay after the worship service for tacos! Bring a dessert to share because you can never have too many desserts!

2. Book Club on Tuesday October 29 - Meet at the Hearthstone at 6:30pm to discuss "The Fixer Upper" by Mary Kay Andrews.

3. Sunday - Once in a while don't you have deeper questions that nobody is talking about? These are those gnawing questions about your faith that you don't feel you can ask anybody? Join us Sunday when we will start a new series "Digging Deeper" where we get at your questions and more.
4. Communion on October 20 - We celebrate the Lord's Supper around every 6 weeks and it is a highlight for us. We invite you to clear away any "baggage" that stands between you and God so that you may celebrate in honesty and genuine friendship with God and others. It may be helpful to use Psalm 139:23-24 in your prayers this week: "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

5. Glenside Neighborhood Dumpster Day - This Saturday, October 12th is Dumpster Day at McGraft Park from 8:00 until Noon. If you have items to drop off or can help please contact Mr. Derbin at 231 206-3516 or derbinjsr@gmail.com

6. Prayers - We have some pressing concerns this week. Thank you for praying and loving others.
- For Max Nichols who lost his step-dad a short time ago.
- For Robin Busch, sister of Tim Bosma. She has had difficulty swallowing and now has cancer in her esophagus.
- For Patti Lacy to find a new job.
- For Karen Fischer who lost her best friend and husband, Dave this week.
- For Amie Anderson's aunt who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She is having surgery on Wednesday.
- For Julie Anderson, friend of the Bosma's as her mom has passed away.
- For Brenda Swanson as she continues to heal from surgery.
- For Lilia DuRose as she recovers from oral surgery.
- For Tammy Postma, friend of the Ribbens, as she struggles in her marriage and prospective divorce.
- For Bobby Kenney as he is not feeling well.
- For our Nation!


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

Celebration Mid-Week

Good Afternoon Celebration!
I am so excited about some of the upcoming things at church! I hope that you are/will be too! Check out these 7 things!

1. Feedback! - We are always in need of feedback so that Celebration Community Church can be all that God has called it to be. Please take 3 minutes to complete the 8 questions survey. Thanks! http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P6WYTHX

2. Prayers: Pray for Marilee Schut as she goes in Monday to have a nodule removed from her lung. Pray for Makenna as she has another surgery today on the drain tube.

3. New Members Class - In February we will start a New Members class after morning worship. Yes, that means that food will be involved! This class is for anyone who wants to take that next step in responsibilities and involvement at Celebration. We will meet 3 times to explore what it means to be a member at Celebration. Contact Pastor Matt to sign up.

4. Movie Night: On Friday, January 25, we will show October Baby in the worship center. The movie intertwines the topic of abortion and the story of a girl looking for love, forgiveness, and life. View the trailer for more info: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_9l7lEe-AA
FYI: The movie is rated PG-13 and may not be suitable for small children.

5. Cancelled: Brian and Sue are gone so there will be no Adult Sunday School this week.

6. Giving to God: Ever wonder whether bringing our gifts to God makes any difference to God or others? Invite someone Sunday to hear how our God takes what we give him and makes it into even more than we would ever hope for! (John 6:1-15)

7. Worship Service on Youtube: We hope to put some worship services on the Celebration Youtube website soon. This way you don't need to miss a worship service if you are stuck at home during our cold Michigan winter. Check it out and subscribe to see the new videos! http://www.youtube.com/user/celebrationmuskegon

Celebration Mid Week

Celebration! There are 6 things that you need to know about this week!

1. Thanks! - Fred & Barb Schossau's son Aaron had a successful surgery on January 2 on his colon! He is home and recovering well!

2. Prayers! - Pray for Pastor Walt as he goes in for surgery tomorrow, Friday at 7:30AM to remove the stones and stint from his kidneys.

3. Sunday - If you know someone who needs to hit the pause button of life to re-evaluate their walk with Jesus, bring them Sunday! We continue our series "In the Boat with Jesus" as we look at getting rest for the journey. (Mark 6:30-32) 

4. New Members Class - In February we hope to start a New Members class. This is for anyone who wants to take that next step in responsibilities and involvement at Celebration. We will meet 3 times to explore what Celebration is all about.

5. Survey - We need your feedback to better fill the needs at Celebration and be all that God has called us to be. Next week you will receive a link to a 7 question survey. Your opinion counts!

6. Movie Night - Friday, January 25 You won’t want to miss our showing of the movie "October Baby". Mark your calendar!

--

Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.com/
www.facebook.com/celebration.muskegon

Torn

Sunday I preached about the John 8 story of the woman caught in adultery.  Jesus lovingly responds to the woman who had led a life of sin.   Jesus lovingly told her to stop her life of sin but still reached out with deep compassion.  Both sides of the same love, God's love.  Could I respond the same way?

There is this recent news story that hits a little close to home and tests me in this.  As reported, a man beats this little 10 month old baby girl so that she has several skull fractures.  The girl is presently recovering in the children's hospital in Grand Rapids.  There is no rhyme nor reason given for the beating.  I am not sure that I could accept any rational reason anyway.  I am angered by the incident and cry out for justice to be done!

Man accused of beating 10-month-old | WOOD TV8

However, what if I met this man face to face?  Would I be able to treat him with love, God's love?  Would I afford him the compassion that he reportedly did not give to the little baby?

My head screams that this is different!  When you mess with our children, you have crossed too far over the line!  There is a victim in this situation and a perpetrator of an evil act of brutality!  Mercy and compassion are not to be a part of the equation!  If the reports are accurate, this man will get what he deserves and I will not shed one tear for him.  People like this should be locked up, shot, or worse!  But is this the way I should respond?

Jesus said (Matthew 5:43-44), “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" Are you kidding me? Jesus, this is insane! How does a person love those who do things that only an enemy would do?  Where would I draw enough strength to pray for a person like this and NOT hate them?  How could I "gasp" LOVE him?  Truly, this kind of strength and focus would come from God because everything in me would want justice, not love!

I hope that I never meet this man.  Not that I would do bodily harm to him.  That is not my point.  Honestly, I do not want to have to respond with love and compassion to this person who I think does not deserve it.  Even with Jesus' example and words, I do not think that I could give the same example.  But I must!  I must do all I can to remember all of my own wrongs that do the same thing to a holy and almighty God.  I do not deserve God's love and compassion yet it has been lavished on me!  I must!

I pray for wisdom and God's strength because I am torn to my core.  Who says love was easy?