God is Good!

1.  EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Jan. 25, Student Ministries at Calvin Church on Norton Ave, 6:30PM.
Jan. 27, Play and Learn Class by LoveINC at Celebration, 10:00AM

Jan. 29, Muskegon Area Praise and Prayer Event, 6:00-7:30PM, at Orchard View High School.
Feb. 1, Ladies AM Bible Study will meet at Tootsie's on Glenside Blvd. at 10:30 am; there will be no meeting of Baby Basic.  NOTE: There will be no meetings for Baby Basic or Wed AM Bible Study in February and March. It will start again in April. Hope you can join us then.

Feb. 2, Classis Muskegon meeting at church.
Feb. 6, Vision Team Meeting, 6:30PM

Feb. 8, Book Club, 6:30PM at Bob Evans on Harvey St.  We’ll discuss "Ordinary Grace" by William Krueger. 

Feb. 25, Annual Wild Game Dinner, 5:30 appetizers, 6:00PM dinner.

2. SUNDAY - “The Land Between.”   Our lives are quite similar to God’s people when they left Egypt for a promised home of paradise.  Life changes has led us away from our comfort zone, what we knew as "home."  Now we are in the middle between what we knew and a new destination, a new "home."  Invite a friend to join us as we hear what God has to say about our present reality in the Land Between!  Sunday: "Coming Home" (Joshua 1:1-9)

3. PRAYERS

• Pray for Amie Anderson's  grandma who had surgery recently for cancerous tumors.  Pray for a good recovery over the next few months.
• Pray for Eddie Anderson's brother who is in the hospital in San Jose, CA.  He's doing better and getting stronger."
• Pray for continued healing for Jill Bennett who is now at the Hume Home.
• Pray for those who are in a time of uncertainty.
• Pray for the future of our country.
• Pray for June Bishop's daughter-in-law Kali and her unborn baby which is due at the end of February.  The sonograms are showing some increasingly concerning issues with the baby's kidneys. 
• Pray for orphans in Mozambique who choose between working to support the other siblings or going to school.
• Pray for the Classis meeting at Celebration on Feb. 2.
• Pray for the preparations for the Wild Game Dinner later in February.
• "Pray for those who want to do something that betters their soul, but who will be frowned upon if they do."
• Pray for Terry Lacy’s relative, was hit by a train but survived.  He is facing lots of surgeries but will be OK. 
• Pray for marriages that are under attack from Satan.
• Terry Lacy asks for prayers for his 2 co-workers: Todd who had a spot removed from his liver on Friday.  Manuel who broke his foot but will not go to a doctor.   
• Linda Bergman asks for prayer for 6-year-old Bremyn, who has been diagnosed with brain cancer, which is near his brain stem and could go into his spine.
• Pray for those who need to trust God with the things they cannot control.
• Please also pray for Kim Rhodes' mother-in-law who is having problems with her only remaining kidney.
• Praise God for improvement and good prognosis for Lilia DuRose's mom who was having trouble breathing and walking.
• Pray for strength and wisdom for those to do the work put before them at their jobs due to forced overtime or reduction in staff.
• Praise God that Matthew DuRose’s speech in front of the school board went over very well.
• Ruth Hinajosa’s brother is still recuperating and in need of healing prayers.  
• Praise God Paula Blohm has been regaining her strength.
• Praise God for small groups which care for each other and are invested in helping each other grow closer to God!   
• Pray for Benjamin who has been having "infantile spasms."  Pray for Pastor Matt's cousin Chris and his wife Amy because it is difficult to be helpless when your child is hurting.

Celebration Midweek - Jan. 18

People always think the pastor needs to read something and sometimes they are right.  Other times not so much.  My wife sent me a link to some articles about how husbands and wives can do harm to their spouse even when they don't know it.  So, let me pass these great articles along to you.  May they be as helpful to you as they have been to me.

For Women: https://familyshare.com/20289/5-ways-you-are-unknowingly-destroying-your-husband-and-killing-your-marriage  

For men: https://familyshare.com/20299/5-ways-you-are-unknowingly-destroying-your-wife-and-killing-your-marriage

1.  EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Jan. 18, Baby Basics/Women's Bible Study, 10:00/10:30AM.
Jan. 18, Student Ministries at Calvin Church on Norton Ave, 6:30PM.
Jan. 22, Seekers Small Group meets after church.
Jan. 24, Pray for Muskegon

Jan. 29, Muskegon Area Praise and Prayer Event, 6:00-7:30PM, at Orchard View High School.
Feb. 1, Ladies AM Bible Study will meet at Tootsie's on Glenside Blvd. at 10:30 am; there will be no meeting of Baby Basic.  NOTE: There will be no meetings for Baby Basic or Wed AM Bible Study in February and March. It will start again in April. Hope you can join us then.

Feb. 2, Classis Muskegon meeting at church.Feb. 6, Vision Team Meeting, 6:30PM

Feb. 25, Annual Wild Game Dinner, 5:30 appetizers, 6:00PM dinner.

2. SUNDAY - “The Land Between.”   Our lives are quite similar to God’s people when they left Egypt for a promised home of paradise.  Life changes has led us away from our comfort zone, what we knew as "home."  Now we are in the middle between what we knew and a new destination, a new "home."  Invite a friend to join us as we hear what God has to say about our present reality in the Land Between!  Sunday: "Focus" (Exodus 33:12-17)

3. PRAYERS

• Pray for good conversations regarding race relations which will lead to healing.
• Pray for broken friendships
• Amie Anderson's  grandma had surgery last week for cancerous tumors.  Pray for a good recovery over the next few months.
• Eddie Anderson writes, "My brother, Tommy Stanley, is in the hospital in San Jose, CA.  He's been there for 2 weeks.  They had to do surgery to drain his lung of fluid.  He's doing better and getting stronger."
• Deb Mart's surgery on her hand went well as is the healing process.  Pray for safe travels to Florida this weekend.
• Pray for continued healing for Jill Bennett who is now at the Hume Home.
• Pray for those about to be moms for the first time.
• Pray for those who are in a time of uncertainty.
• Pray for the future of our country.
• Pray for June Bishop's daughter-in-law Kali and her unborn baby which is due at the end of February.  The sonograms are showing some increasingly concerning issues with the baby's kidneys. 
• Pray for Stephen in dealing with feelings with loneliness and his journey back to you.
• Pray for revival in the land!

Celebration New Year News!

We celebrate New Years day as our symbolic sending off party to 2016 and to signify living in the new year.  This is healthy and good unless we forget the lessons of the past year or the accomplishments or the successes.  There are many good things which happened at Celebration in 2016 and I will only mention one: Our Prayer Team prayed for almost twice as many people this year than last year!  People sent in prayer requests to us through email, texts,or the Communication Cards.  Our team prayed for each one!  Remember the good things of last year and know you are prayed for all the time!

1.  EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Jan. 8, Adult Sunday School resumes, 9:00AM.
Jan. 9, Council/Vision Team Meeting, 6:30PM at church
Jan. 11, Student Ministries at Calvin Church on Norton Ave, 6:30PM.
Jan. 11, Book Club, 6:30PM.  Meet at the Grand Traverse Pie Co. as we discuss "The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry" by Gabrielle Zevin.
Jan. 18, Baby Basics/Women's Bible Study, 10:00/10:30AM.
Jan. 24, Pray for Muskegon
Jan. 29, Muskegon Area Praise and Prayer Event, 6:00-7:30PM, at Orchard View High School.
Feb. 2, Classis Muskegon meeting at church.
Feb. 25, Annual Wild Game Dinner

2. SUNDAY - “The Land Between.”   Our lives are quite similar to God’s people when they left Egypt for a promised home of paradise.  Life changes has led us away from our comfort zone, what we knew as "home."  Now we are in the middle between what we knew and a new destination, a new "home."  Invite a friend to join us as we hear what God has to say about our present reality in the Land Between!  Sunday: "Resistance" (Exodus 5:1-9)

3. PRAYERS

• Praise God for birthdays and another new year to live and breathe.
• "Pray for my children and family."
• Pray for God to work in the families to make Christ the center of it.
• Pray for those who struggle against temptations.  May God give them his strength to resist.
• Pray for renewed health this year: spiritually, physically, emotionally, and intellectually.
• Pray for Ruth Hinajosa's brother who is in ICU in Kalamazoo.
• "Pray for couples who are struggling."
• Pray for healthy pregnancies.
• Pray for Ray Anderson who was at Hackley Hospital with pneumonia.  He was scheduled to go home today.
• Praise God for good conversations during Christmas gatherings.
• Praise God for continued rehabilitation for Charles Serene after knee surgery last month.
• Praise God for patience and love in families which covers many hard feelings.
• Praise God for Thelma's friend Lonnie whose 5 by-pass heart surgery went well.  He is still in ICU and his recovery will be long.  May God bring healing!
• Pray for students who are considering Jesus as the leader of their life.  May God give them the peace which passes all understanding.
• Pray for families who are tired and worn out after Christmas parties.
• Pray for Lonnie (Thelma's neighbor) who was to have heart surgery on Tuesday.
• Pray for a smooth and peaceful transition of the president.
• Pray that evil hate speech will stop.
• Pray for the president elect that God will guide him and he will be humble enough to take good advice from his advisers.
• Pray for revival in the land!
• Pray for Stephen in dealing with feelings with loneliness and his journey back to you.

-- 

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 - Dec. 29

Sorry this weekly email is late.  I took some family time early this week to visit my family in Illinois.   It was great to eat all the food from "back home", laugh about the silliest things, have fun in Chicago, and go ice skating again!  I was surprised this did not turn into a race with my older brother.  Maybe we were both scared of pulling a muscle or 5!  I pray your time between the holidays will be just as pleasing for you!

1.  EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Jan. 1, New Years Day Service!

Jan. 4, Baby Basics/Women's Bible Study, 10:00/10:30AM.
Jan. 8, Adult Sunday School will resume, 9:00AM.
Jan. 9, Council/Vision Team Meeting, 6:30PM at church
Jan. 11, Student Ministries at Calvin Church on Norton Ave, 6:30PM.

Jan. 11, Book Club, 6:30PM.  Meet at the Grand Traverse Pie Co. as we discuss "The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry" by Gabrielle Zevin.

Jan. 24, Pray for Muskegon

Jan. 29, Muskegon Area Praise and Prayer Event, 6:00-7:30PM, at Orchard View High School.

2. SUNDAY - “The Land Between.”   Our lives are quite similar to God’s people when they left Egypt for a promised home of paradise.  Life changes has led us away from our comfort zone, what we knew as "home."  Now we are in the middle between what we knew and a new destination, a new "home."  Invite a friend to join us as we hear what God has to say about our present reality in the Land Between!  Sunday: "Leaving Town" (Exodus 3:1-10)

3. PRAYERS

Pray for families who are tired and worn out after Christmas parties.

Pray for Jackie Knight's health and her preparations to be a new mom.

Pray for Lonnie (Thelma's neighbor) who was to have heart surgery on Tuesday.

Pray for a smooth and peaceful transition of the president.
Pray that evil hate speech will stop.
Pray for the president elect that God will guide him and he will be humble enough to take good advice from his advisers.
Pray for revival in the land!

Pray for Stephen in dealing with feelings with loneliness and his journey back to you.

-- 

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

4 Days Till Christmas!

4 Days Till Christmas!  It is amazing to think of Christmas being this close again!  For some people it can't be here and gone soon enough because Christmas has become over-hyped and the true meaning has been under-emphasized.  Buying gifts is more important than receiving Jesus as the ultimate gift.  Going to Christmas parties is more important than going to the Christmas worship service.  My list goes on and on.  The biggest thing for me is how the celebration of Jesus' birth is the gift which needs to be renewed each day.  It is the joy of the believer to know how God sent Jesus to bring us peace with him.  In believing what Jesus did for us on the cross, we have new life in Jesus all year long!  Enjoy!

1.  CHRISTMAS EVENTS

• SUNDAY - Christmas morning!  Invite a friend to our Songs of Advent series where we will sing Simeon's song: "The Song of Salvation" (Luke 2:25-35).
• MITTEN TREE - Thank you all who participated in the Mitten Tree outreach this year.  e delivered the gifts to our adopted family from LoveINC this week.  They were ecstatic!
• Advent Devotions - If you are on our weekly email list, you have received a daily 2-minute Advent email to help focus you on the reason we celebrate Christmas.  Has this been helpful for you?  Send us a note to tell us.

2. EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Dec. 21, Baby Basics/Women's Bible Study, 10:00/10:30AM.
Dec. 24, Pray for Muskegon

Dec. 25, Christmas Day Service!

Jan. 8, Adult Sunday School will resume, 9:00AM.
Jan. 11, Student Ministries at Calvin Church on Norton Ave, 6:30PM.
Jan. 11, Book Club, 6:30PM.  Meet at the Grand Traverse Pie Co. as we discuss "The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry" by Gabrielle Zevin.

3. PRAYERS

• Jill Bennett is at Knollview for a while while she gets more physical therapy. Pray for clarity for her future living location.
• Pray for comfort and joy for family and friends of Frank Rienstra who passed last week.
• Praise God for renewed involvement by some at Celebration.  Pray for those disheartened or frustrated as well.
• Pray for those who have sad feelings due to loss of family members during the past year.  Pray for all who are reminded during the holidays of loved ones who have passed.
• Pray for Paula Blohm as she continues to search for answers to her health issues.
• Pray for flickers of hope in marriages needing your continued intervention.
• Pray for family relationships which need your healing.
• Pray for Ivy who will go to California over break to visit family.
• Pray for those experiencing financial crisis. 
• Pray for those who have lost confidence in themselves and need God's renewal in their lives.
• Pray for our Snow Birds.
• Praise God for good friends who have moved out of town and found a home church.
• Pray for Walt Jones and family at the passing of his step-dad.
• Pray for those who are lonely and feeling down without friends.
• Pray for babies growing and expectant mothers.
• Praise God for a new coat of paint on the brick columns in the Fireside Room.
• Pray for our college students.  May they follow God to where he can use them best.
• Praise God for Lynn Pluger's positive treatments of her Lymphoma.
• Pray for those who are less than energized by their present employment.
• Pray for those who are silently struggling with medical issues unknown to others.
• Praise God for a successful surgery for Charles Serene.  Pray that the rehabilitation and healing will restore a good sense of mobility for him.
• Pray for those taking trips over the holidays.  May God keep them safe.

-- 

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

Christmas Story Meets Bohemian Rhapsody

Video of the Day: Creative people are such fun!  In the video link below, a creative person merged the story of Christmas together with the well-known song "Bohemian Rhapsody."  It is very well done!  As Reformed Christians, we should always be taking parts of our culture and re-forming them for Christ.  This is only one example for us to follow.  Enjoy!  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxvMkSKRWOA

1.  CHRISTMAS EVENTS

• SUNDAY - Only 2 more weeks of our Songs of Advent series! Invite a friend to worship Sunday as we sing the Angel's song: "The Song of Peace" (Luke 2:14).
• MITTEN TREE - If you took a mitten off the tree in the Worship Center, bring your gift to church this Sunday.  We will deliver the gifts to our adopted family from LoveINC this week.  Thanks for helping to give this family a great Christmas!
• Advent Devotions - If you are on our weekly email list, you have received a daily 2-minute Advent email to help focus you on the reason we celebrate Christmas.  Has this been helpful for you?  Send us a note to tell us.

2. EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Dec. 18, Adult Sunday School, 9:00AM, "The Star of Bethlehem"

Dec. 21, Baby Basics/Women's Bible Study, 10:00/10:30AM.
Dec. 21, Student Ministries at Calvin Church on Norton Ave, 6:30PM.
Dec. 24, Pray for Muskegon

Dec. 25, Christmas Day Service!

3. PRAYERS

• Jill Bennett is at Knollview for a while while she gets more physical therapy. Pray for clarity for her future living location.
• Pray for comfort and joy for family and friends of Frank Rienstra who passed this past week.
• Praise God for renewed involvement by some at Celebration.  Pray for those disheartened or frustrated as well.
• Pray for those who have sad feelings due to loss of family members during the past year.  Pray for all who are reminded during the holidays of loved ones who have passed.
• Pray for Paula Blohm as she continues to search for answers to her health issues.
• Praise God for students who participated in leading worship on Sunday!  It was great!
• Pray for family relationships which need your healing.
• Pray for Ivy who will go to California over break to visit family.
• Pray for those experiencing financial crisis. 
• Pray for those who have lost confidence in themselves and need God's renewal in their lives.
• Pray for our Snow Birds.
• Praise God for good friends who have moved out of town and found a home church.
• Pray for Walt Jones and family at the passing of his step-dad.
• Pray for those who are lonely and feeling down without friends.
• Pray for babies growing and expectant mothers.
• Pray for our college students.  May they follow God to where he can use them best.
• Praise God for Lynn Pluger's positive treatments of her Lymphoma.
• Pray for those who are less than energized by their present employment.
• Pray for those who are silently struggling with medical issues unknown to others.
• Praise God for a successful surgery for Charles Serene.  Pray that the rehabilitation and healing will restore a good sense of mobility for him.
• Pray for those taking trips over the holidays.  May God keep them safe.

-- 

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 - Dec. 8

Quote For The Day:  “To what will you look for help if you will not look to that which is stronger than yourself?”  (C.S. Lewis)

1.  CHRISTMAS EVENTS

• SUNDAY - It is time to begin ramping up toward Christmas! In our new Sermon series we will look at 5 famous Christmas songs.  They didn't hit the top 40 countdown but they help us celebrate Christmas! Invite a friend to worship Sunday as we sing: "Songs of Advent."  This Sunday: "Mary: The Song of Faith" (Luke 1:46-56).
• MITTEN TREE - Take a mitten off the tree in the Worship Center and buy the item listed for our adopted family from LoveINC.  We want to make sure they have a great Christmas!  Gifts need to be brought to church by the 18th.
• Christmas Cookies Sign Up - Another tradition we have is for families to sign up to bring 2 dozen on Sunday morning for church.  Sign up at the info booth for your week!
• Advent Devotions - Sometimes we need help to focus on the reason we celebrate Christmas.  The busyness of the season overwhelms us.  So, each day of Advent until Christmas we will send out a 2-minute email devotion from John Piper's book "Good News of Great Joy."  We hope this will benefit you and those around you!

2. EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Dec. 11, Adult Sunday School, 9:00AM
Dec. 11, Celebration Family Meeting after Church

Dec. 14, Student Ministries at Calvin Church on Norton Ave, 6:30PM.
Dec. 18, Fellowship Team Meeting after Church.

Dec. 21, Baby Basics/Women's Bible Study, 10:00/10:30AM.
Dec. 24, Pray for Muskegon, all day!

Dec. 25, Christmas Day Service!

3. PRAYERS

• Walt Jones' step-dad passed away last week.  Pray for peace and safe travel as they go out for the funeral on the 10th.
• Ivy Dudgeon asks for prayers for her cousin Sue who will have heart surgery soon.
• Pray for broken relationships with little chance of reconciliation.
• Pray for Freddie Rottman and her family at the passing of her husband Jack on Sunday. Visitation will be at the Sytsema Funeral Home on Sherman on Thursday from 4-7PM. The funeral will be at Bethany CRC at 11:00AM on Friday.
• Pray for those with hurt feelings which has led to unforgiveness in their life.
• Praise God for Charles Serene's surgery on his leg which went well today.  Pray for healing and patience as he recovers and begins physical therapy soon.
• Pray for Jill Bennett who continues to deal with some mobility issues..  She suffered a setback from her attack of Transverse Meylitus a few months ago.
• Pray for strained marriages.
• Pray for our Snow Birds who have flown south for the winter.  We miss them and hope they are doing well.
• Praise God for Paula Blohm's friend Carla who received good results from her recent biopsy!
• Pray for those who are seeking employment that God would place them where they can serve him well.
• Pray for Walt Jones at the passing of his Step Dad.  He and Marcia will attend the funeral in Illinois this week.
• Praise God for good resolutions to interpersonal conflicts!
• Praise God for gifts given to others because of a deep love for God and a desire to bless others as they have been blessed!
• Pray for the Congregational meeting on Sunday.

-- 

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