Celebration Midweek - April 15

Tax Day!  The rule is that everyone wants the benefits from the taxes but no one wants to pay them.  Government is not cheap or free.  Neither is ministry.  May we remember that when we support both with our money.  Also, today we think of all of the CPAs we know and love.  May they get some needed time off after today!  Hang in there Steve and Ranae!

1. Noteworthy Events

- SUNDAY, Adult Sunday School, 9:00AM in the Nursery.  Join us as we journey through Corinth.

- SUNDAY - The Mosaic Small Group meets in the Oasis Room after worship.

- April 24 - Pray for Muskegon - Take time on this Friday to lift up to God in prayer the needs in our community, county, state, nation, and world.  Your prayers matter!

- April 26 - The Next Steps Class meets at church after worship.  Get a clearer look at Celebration and what your next steps may be here.  We will have lunch first in the Oasis room.

- May 9 - Saturday in the Park - We will be part of a great event in McGraft Park to link together area churches and non-profit organizations with the goal of meeting the needs of our community.  Our Praise Band will play and we will hand out ice cream and cookies!  Doesn't that sound awesome?  

2.  Youth Ministries
- TONIGHT, Youth Ministries at Calvin Church, 6:30-8:00PM - (ages 4 years to 8th grade)  Little Peeps =  Lesson "God's Wonderful Surprise"; GEMS = Lesson: "Forgiven and Free!"  Craft: Mod Podge Tile Coasters.  Practice for GEMS Sunday!; Cadets = Pinewood Derby!  Finally we race!; Middle School = Lesson "Who Wrote the Bible, God or Humans?"
- SUNDAY, GEMS Sunday - Contact Courtney Kingshott for more details.

- SUNDAY, High School Youth Group at Calvin Church, 6:00-8:00PM.  Starts with dinner!

3. Sunday - Lewis Smedes wrote, "When you forgive someone for hurting you, you perform spiritual surgery inside your soul."  Aren't you ready for the "Forgiveness App"?  (Matthew 6:12, 14-15; Matthew 18:21-35)

4. Glenside Community News

- TONIGHT - Glenside Neighborhood meeting, 7:00 pm in the McGraft Park Community Building. All neighbors are invited. Commissioner Byron Turnquist and Officer Josh DeHoag regularly attend these meetings, too, in case you have something to discuss with them. 

- Dumpster Day - Saturday, May 16, 8am - 12 noon.  Dump your junk for free in the city dumpsters lined up near the entrance to McGraft Park. No yard waste or hazardous waste, please! Be prepared to show your driver's license as proof of residency.

- Glenside Yard Sale - Saturday, June 6.  Every year for the last 20 years, over 60 homes participate in this event that draws hundreds of shoppers to Glenside.  Contact Pastor Matt to see how you can help!  

5. BOOKS! - Did you know that our church library has too many books?  SO, we have placed many of these books on a table in the entryway for anyone to take home.  They will be available for the next 2 weeks.  Enjoy!

6. Prayers  

- Pray for wounded hearts that God would bring healing.

- Pray for Wayne Kittle at the death of his uncle yesterday.

- Pray for the many people who have lost loved ones this year.

- Pray for Jim Espinoza as he has hand surgery planned for April 27.

- Thank God for a safe trips and great memories vacations last week.

- Praise God for all of the blessings he gives you every day.  

- Pray for our guests the past few weeks.  May God help them along their journey to grow closer to him and to his people.

- Pray for the incarcerated men and women in our nation.
- Pray for Harold West's friend who has stage 2 pancreatic cancer
- Pray for the unspoken issues in our lives that we need God's guidance and direction to resolve.
- Pray for relational conflicts to be resolved and peace to be restored.
- Pray for those who are recovering from recent surgeries.
- Pray for Celebration's construction project.
- Pray for Patti Lacy as she awaits her knee surgery on May 5.

- Pray that God will use us all to serve others, and that He will put us where He wants us to be.
- Bob Jackson gives thanks to God for all of the ex-offenders who have been placed in jobs to start a new lease on life.

--

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 - April 8

This past week was amazing!  We celebrated Maundy Thursday at Forest Park Covenant church with a tenabrae service.  (Put it on the calendar for next year because it was awesome!)  Then we enjoyed a Good Friday service at Queen Esther Church.  Sunday, after the best breakfast in town, we celebrated Easter at Celebration.  What a wonderful day and great way to end the week!

As followers of Jesus, we get to live in the glow of Easter every day.  Jesus "has risen just as he said!"  It gives color to our world.  It gives purpose to our work.  It is our reason for living.  Our Easter celebration continues and is our reality for every day of the rest of our lives.  May this give you the focus you need today.

1. Noteworthy Events

- NO Adult Sunday School this Sunday.

- TODAY - Seekers Small Group meets in the Oasis Room after worship.

- April 19 - Mosaic Small Group meets at church after worship.

2.  Youth Ministries
- NO Youth Ministries at Calvin Church tonight.
- NO High School Youth Group at Calvin Church on Sunday.
- April 19, GEMS Sunday

3. Sunday - When is the last time you encouraged someone?  When was the last time you were encouraged by someone?  We need both.  Invite a friend to church as we consider the "Encouragement App".  (1 Thes. 5:11; Romans. 12:8)

4. BOOKS! - Did you know that our library has too many books?  Many of these books have never been opened.  SO, we have placed many of these books on a table in the entryway for anyone to take home.  They will be available for the next 2 weeks.  Enjoy!

5. Prayers  

- Pray for wounded hearts that God would bring healing.

- Pray for David Zimmerman as his Uncle Mike died today.

- Pray for Cassie Workman on the death of her grandfather last week.

- Pray for Rev. Stewart on the death of his granddaughter.

- Pray for Jim Espinoza as he has hand surgery planned for April 27.

- Pray for a safe trips to visit family over the Easter Break.

- Praise God for all of the blessings he gives you every day.  

- Many people gave thanks to God for the blessings received from the Praise Team.  

- Pray for our guests the past few weeks.  May God help them along their journey to grow closer to him and to his people.

- Pray for the incarcerated men and women in our nation. 
- Pray for Harold West's friend who has stage 2 pancreatic cancer
- Pray for the unspoken problems in our lives that we need God's guidance and direction to resolve.
- Pray for relational conflicts to be resolved and peace to be restored.
- Pray for Roger Doctor and Duane Blohm who are recovering from recent surgeries.
- Pray for Celebration's construction project, that it will go smoothly, that we might have enough volunteers to help keep costs down, and that it may be used well for God's Kingdom.
- Pray for Patti Lacy as she awaits her knee surgery on May 5.

- Pray that God will use us all to serve others, and that He will put us where He wants us to be.
- Pray for self-control in all areas of our lives.  "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but of love and power and self-control." (2 Tim.1:7)
- Pray that the Holy week events have strengthened the faith of many.

- Bob Jackson gives thanks to God for all of the ex-offenders who have been placed in jobs to start a new lease on life.

-- 

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

How are you preparing for the celebration of Jesus' death and Resurrection?  Post your thoughts at https://www.facebook.com/celebrationmuskegon.    

1. Noteworthy Events
- THURSDAY, Maundy Thursday service at Forest Park Covenant, at 7:00PM.

- FRIDAY, Good Friday Service at Queen Esther Church, 7:00PM.  We will be going through the 7 last sayings of Jesus.

- SATURDAY, Easter Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast

- NO Adult Sunday School this Sunday.

- Easter Breakfast, 9:30AM at church.

- Vision Team Meeting, 6:30PM at church.

2.  Youth Ministries
- NO Youth Ministries at Calvin Church tonight.
- NO High School Youth Group at Calvin Church on Sunday.
- April 19, GEMS Sunday

3. Sunday - How easy is it to miss the meaning of Easter in our lives?  The bunnies, eggs, and candy sometimes hide it.  Invite a friend to our service to look at "Pictures of Easter".  (Jeremiah 31:33-34)

4. Building Project Update - Occasionally we will post pictures on the church Facebook page of the progress in remodeling our building.  Remember to keep the project in your prayers.

5. Prayers  

- Pray for wounded hearts that God would bring healing.

- Pray for David Zimmerman as his Uncle Mike died today.

- Pray for Cassie Workman on the death of her grandfather last week.

- Pray for Rev. Stewart on the death of his granddaughter.

- Pray for Jim Espinoza as he has hand surgery planned for April 27.

- Pray for a safe trips to visit family over the Easter Break.

- Praise God for all of the blessings he gives you every day.  

- We thank God for the success of the Wild Game Dinner, and we pray that God touched the hearts of those who came to Celebration for the dinner.

- Dick and Sue DeBoer thank God for healing their granddaughter who was released from DeVos Children's Hospital recently.

- Pray for the families of the plane crash victims.

- Many people gave thanks to God for the blessings received from the Praise Team.  

- Pray for our guests the past few weeks.  May God help them along their journey to grow closer to him and to his people.

- Pray for Kim Rhodes' daughter who had surgery last week and is recovering.
- Pray for Sandi Walsh's mom that physical therapy would heal her knees so she won’t need surgery.
- Pray for the incarcerated men and women in our nation. 
- Pray for Harold West's friend who has stage 2 pancreatic cancer
- Pray for Bill Essenberg during his week of residential treatment.
- Pray for the unspoken problems in our lives that we need God's guidance and direction to resolve.
- Pray for relational conflicts to be resolved and peace to be restored.
- Pray for Roger Doctor and Duane Blohm who are recovering from recent surgeries.
- Pray for Celebration's construction project, that it will go smoothly, that we might have enough volunteers to help keep costs down, and that it may be used well for God's Kingdom.
- Pray for Patti Lacy as she awaits her knee surgery in April

- Pray that God will use us all to serve others, and that He will put us where He wants us to be.
- Pray for self-control in all areas of our lives.  "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but of love and power and self-control." (2 Tim.1:7)
- Pray for the events of Holy week that people will have their faith strengthened

--

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 heard someone famous say, "Christianity is always personal but never private."  We have always been touched to our very souls by Jesus.  He has given us life.  That is always personal.  How can we ever keep something like that private, shielded from others?  I encourage you to never let your personal faith become private.  Especially as we invite others to hear the good news during Easter week.

1. Noteworthy Events

- SATURDAY, Wild Game Dinner - Starts at 5:30PM with appetizers.

- SUNDAY, Adult Sunday School, 9:00AM in the Nursery.  Join us as we journey through Corinth.

- Seekers Small Group, Noon in the Oasis room.

- Maundy Thursday service at Forest Park Covenant, 7:00PM.

- Easter Breakfast, 9:30AM at church.

- Vision Team/Council Meeting, 6:30PM at church

2.  Youth Ministries
- TONIGHT, Youth Ministries at Calvin Church, 6:30-8:00PM - (ages 4 years to 8th grade)  Little Peeps =  Lesson "The Servant King"; GEMS = Lesson: "His Message, My Mess" (Matt. 8:3); Cadets = Pinewood Derby Cars (Weight and finish, test run) ; Middle School = Lesson: "Jesus: What's the Big Deal?"
- SUNDAY, High School Youth Group at Calvin Church, 6:00-8:00PM.  Starts with dinner!
- April 4, Easter Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast
- April 19, GEMS Sunday

3. Sunday - When you think of the Apostle Peter and the events of Good Friday, do you think "How Could He?"  (Mark 14:26-31; Luke 22:54-62; John 21:15-19).


4. Prayers

- Pray for the Christians all over the world who are being persecuted and killed.
- Pray for the unspoken problems in our lives that we need God's guidance and direction to resolve.
- Pray for Family and friends who have cancer.
- We pray for conflicts to be resolved and peace to be restored in several relationships.

- Pray for Roger Doctor and Duane Blohm who are recovering from their recent surgeries.

- Linda Bergman would like continued prayer for her granddaughter Kennedy. 

- Pray for Celebration's construction project, that it will continue to go smoothly and that we might have enough volunteers to help keep costs down.

- Patti Lacy's knee is getting worse and reducing her mobility.  She still has 5 weeks before her surgery.

- Pray that God will use us all to serve others, and that He will put us where He wants us to be. 

- Pray for wounded hearts and spirits that God would bring healing.

- Pray for our guests the past few weeks.  May God help them along their journey to grow closer to him and to his people.

- Pray for Kim Rhodes' daughter who had surgery today.

- Pray for Sandi Walsh's mom that physical therapy would heal her knees so she wont need surgery.

- Pray for the incarcerated men and women.  

- Pray for self-control in all areas of life.  "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but of love and power and self-control." (2 TImothy 1:7)

- Harold West's friend has stage 2 pancreatic cancer.

- Pray for Bill Essenberg who got the OK to begin a week of residential treatment.

- Pray for those who have money issues.

- Pray for the events of Holy week that people will have their faith strengthened.

-- 

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 18

1. Noteworthy Events
- SATURDAY, Charles Serene and Pam Williamson Wedding, 1:00PM  at church, .
- SUNDAY, Adult Sunday School, 9:00AM in the Nursery.  Join us as we journey through Corinth.
- TUESDAY, Pray for Muskegon on March 24.
- March 28, Wild Game Dinner - Contact Roger Doctor or Marc Baird to get meat for making meals.
- Maundy Thursday service at Forest Park Covenant, 7:00PM.
- Easter Breakfast, 9:30AM at church.

2.  Youth Ministries
- TONIGHT, Youth Ministries at Calvin Church, 6:30-8:00PM - (ages 4 years to 8th grade)  Little Peeps =  Lesson "Running Away: The Parable of the Prodigal Son"; GEMS = Badge Night: Spiritual Gifts ; Cadets = Pinewood Derby Cars (paint cars) ; Middle School = Lesson "Jonah: It is not about the fish!"
- SUNDAY, High School Youth Group at Calvin Church, 6:00-8:00PM.  Starts with dinner!
- April 4, Easter Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast
- April 19, GEMS Sunday

3. Sweepers Needed - Friday, 4:00PM.  Bring a broom and we will sweep up the dust from the sand blasting this week at church. 

4. Sunday - Is confession really good for the soul?  Join us Sunday as we continue our new series "Life Apps".  (James 5:16)

5. Prayers
- Duane Blohm's step-mother has been experiencing painful intestinal issues, including bleeding. They are running tests to discover the cause.
- Pray for Christians all over the world who are being persecuted and killed.
- Thank God for a good trip to Texas for Ruth Hinajosa with family.
- Pray for healing for Duane Blohm's following his recent shoulder surgery.
- Pray for the unspoken problems in our lives that we need God's guidance and direction to resolve.
- Pray for Family and friends who have cancer.
- Pray for difficult decisions that need to be made regarding jobs.  May God give them wisdom and direction.
- 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.
- 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 the friend of Tim Maat, Joseph Gabriel, who died last week.
- Pray for Roger Doctor who is recovering from hip surgery on Monday.

- Please pray for Alex DuRose.  He was sick with strep throat and the flu. 

- Linda Bergman would like continued prayer for her granddaughter Kennedy.  

- Pray for Celebration's construction project, that it will go smoothly and that we might have enough volunteers to help keep costs down.

- Patti Lacy's knee is getting worse and reducing her mobility.  She still has 6 weeks before her surgery.  She really needs our prayers.

- Terry Lacy asks for God's guidance as he works on personal growth goals.

- Reyes Hinajosa asks for God's blessings on the Seeker's Small Group and on everyone at Celebration.  

- Pay that God will use us all to serve others, and that He will put us where He wants us to be. 

- Pray for wounded hearts that God would bring healing.

- Pray for Pastor Matt's dad who received 9 stitches as the result of his encounter with a chainsaw.

--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 11

1. Noteworthy Events 
- SUNDAY, Adult Sunday School, 9:00AM in the Nursery.  Join us as we journey through Corinth.
- FRIDAY, Family Game Night (aka Weiners and Winners).  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 - Contact Roger Doctor or Marc Baird to get meat for making meals.

2.  Youth Ministries
- TONIGHT, Youth Ministries at Calvin Church, 6:30-8:00PM - (ages 4 years to 8th grade)  Little Peeps =  Lesson "Zacchaeus: The Man Who Didn’t Have Any Friends"; GEMS = Lesson: "Use Your Words!"; Cadets = Pinewood Derby cars; Middle School = Lesson "Daniel: The Invincible Visionary"
- SUNDAY, High School Youth Group at Calvin Church, 6:00-8:00PM.  Starts with dinner!
- FRI-SAT, Middle School "Intersect Lock-In".

3. 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.

4. Sunday - With all of the apps that you have downloaded, how many do you actually use?  Chances are there are many you have used only once or use on special occasions.  When it comes to our lives, the Bible gives us many applications to live by, but the change only happens as we apply them. Join us Sunday as we begin our new series "Life Apps".

5. Prayers

- Pray for those who are experiencing grief from the loss of loved ones recently: Roger Doctor's dad, Bob Jackson's brother in law, Jenny Merritt's Grandma, and others. May God comfort them all and their families in this time of loss.
- Pray for the Christians all over the world who are being persecuted and killed.
- Pray for Ruth Hinajosa who is basking in the warm sun of Texas in a visit to visit family.
- Pray for healing for Duane Blohm's following his shoulder surgery last Thursday.  
- Pray for the unspoken problems in our lives that we need God's guidance and direction to resolve.
- Pray for Family and friends who have cancer.
- Pray for difficult decisions that need to be made regarding jobs.  May God give them wisdom and direction.
- 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.
- 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 the friend of Tim Maat, Joseph Gabriel, who died last week.
- Pray for Roger Doctor who will have hip surgery on Monday, 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 Midweek - March 4

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 

- 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 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