Celebration Midweek - Sep. 28

Quote for the day - "I want a relationship with Jesus who is infinitely compassionate with my brokenness and at the same time an awesome incomprehensible, and unwieldy mystery."  (Brennan Manning)

1. STUDENTS - This Wednesday from 6:30-8:00PM at Calvin Church on Norton Ave!  Little Peeps (4yrs-1st grade) - Lesson:"A New Beginning-Noah's Ark"; GEMS (Girls 2nd-5th grade) Lesson: "Love Is A Logo!" Plus craft & snack; Cadets (Boys 2nd-5th grade) Cadet/Parent Fishing Night! (Rain or shine, come at 6:30pm, we will be back at 8:30pm. Bring your own fishing gear if you have it, or we will have a few extra poles. Worms provided!); Middle school - Lesson: "Can Struggles Help My Faith Grow?"

Our High School students meets on Sunday from 6:00-8:30PM at Calvin Church.  Contact Pastor Matt for more info.

2. ANNUAL CARNIVAL - A BIG THANK YOU for all who participated, attended, or helped out with the carnival.  We could not have done it without you!  Let's do this again next year!

3. CHALLENGE REPORTS - As part of our sermon series "Follow", we have given the "Following Jesus Challenge" for people to commit each morning to follow wherever Jesus leads during the day.  Remember to come to church Sunday with a few stories to report!

4. EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Sep. 30, Play and Learn Class, 10:00AM to NOON at Church.

Oct. 3, Vision Team Meeting at church 6:30PM.
Oct. 4, Church Cleaning Team, 6:00PM
Oct. 5, Baby Basics/Women's Bible Study, 10:00AM.
Oct. 6, Classis Meeting at Trinity CRC in Fremont
Oct. 23, Annual Chili Cook-Off
Oct. 26, Book Club at Mango's at 6:30. We're reading "The Secret Keeper" by Kate Morton.
Oct. 30, Annual Leadership Retreat

5. PRAYERS

FYI, we do not include every prayer request we know.  This would make the email very long.  We include prayer requests from our Sunday Communication Cards or from email requests sent to Pastor Matt or a Prayer Team member.  A more complete list is located on the back of the bulletin each Sunday.

• Pray for those who are "church shopping" and have been led to Celebration.  May God lead them to where they need to be.  
• Lilia DuRose asks for prayers for her mom whose heart is very weak.  Pray for healing and comfort.
• Pray for children who go a different school and now live with grandparents due to parental neglect.
• Thank God for Jesus love in the hearts of members at Celebration.  They make guests feel welcome.
• Thank God for the kids who came to the carnival and the people who were glad to serve them.  
• Thank God for God's forgiveness and grace on us which allows us to give to others.
• Pray for the DeColores organization as they seek to continue the vision of drawing people to live ever closer to Jesus.
• Pray for God's peace to those who will vote in November.  
• Pray for the Annual Leadership Retreat on October 30.  We want to follow where God is leading us as a church.

-- 

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

Blessed to Be A Blessing!

FUN! Celebration Community Church was featured in the current issue of Bloomberg Businessweek! I know!  They were looking at how the dynamics of the voters this year are impacting the election. We were in the section highlighting the changes in the modern church and religion over the last few years.

https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-america-divided/#churches

1. STUDENTS - This Wednesday from 6:30-8:00PM at Calvin Church on Norton Ave!  Little Peeps (4yrs-1st grade) - Lesson:"The Terrible Lie"; GEMS (Girls 2nd-5th grade) Lesson: "Love overflows!" Plus craft & snack; Cadets (Boys 2nd-5th grade) Visit to dairy farm (please dress for weather as we will be outside most of the night); Middle school - Lesson: "What's the real gospel?"

Our High School students meets on Sunday from 6:00-8:30PM at Calvin Church.  Contact Pastor Matt for more info.

2. ANNUAL CARNIVAL - We enclosed a flyer for the carnival next week Saturday.  Print one off to hang up at work or hand one to a friend.  This is our huge Fall outreach and we want to see a ton of children come to the event!  Make sure you can help out next Saturday, September 24 from 1:00-3:00PM.  See you there!

3. CHALLENGE - Two weeks ago we gave the "Following Jesus Challenge" for people to commit each morning to follow wherever Jesus leads during the day.  Remember to come to church Sunday with a few stories to report!

4. EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Sep. 23, Play and Learn Class, 10:00AM to NOON at Church.

Sep. 25, Creativity Team Meeting after Church
Oct. 4, Church Cleaning Team, 6:00PM
Oct. 6, Classis Meeting at Trinity CRC in Fremont
Oct. 23, Annual Chili Cook-Off
Oct. 30, Annual Leadership Retreat

5. PRAYERS

FYI, we do not include every prayer request we know.  This would make the email very long.  We include prayer requests from our Sunday Communication Cards or from email requests sent to Pastor Matt or a Prayer Team member.  A more complete list is located on the back of the bulletin each Sunday.

• Pray for children who are having difficulty adjusting at school. 
• Pray for Jim DuRose who is still dealing with the pain of shingles.
• Bill Essenberg asks for prayers for Walt Johnson who has a broken collarbone. 
• Pray for Mike Straley as he continues to recover in Utah.
• Pray for Jake Eckholm who is the new city manager in Muskegon Heights.
• Pray for family situations which require grandparents to seek custody of grandchildren due to the chaotic lives of birth parents.  Pray for the grandchildren to feel safe and secure during this time of turmoil.
• Pray for Darla Baird as she awaits blood work to find out about potential underlying health issues.  Pray for peace and healing in her body.
• Pray for River Baird as he "catches up" at school as he also heals from pneumonia which has kept him down for the last week or so.  
• Terry Lacy’s co-worker Todd has been battling throat cancer.
• Thank God for jobs, especially the ones which bring joy to our lives.
• Pray for "Mighty" Max, a child with some serious medical issues and is being treated at the neo-natal unit at DeVos Children’s hospital.  Please pray for healing for this little one. 
• Pray for families who are dealing with various issues and struggles.  May God bring healing and reconciliation.
• Lilia DuRose gives praise that her mother in the Ukraine is doing well.  Pray for her niece Sasha who is in the hospital awaiting the birth of her second child.  
• Pray for Lilia DuRose who has been having flare-ups with swelling and joint pain.  Pray for healing, answers to her medical issue, and that the right medications will be found to relieve her pain.
• A driver from Steve DuRose’s company was involved in an accident that hurt several people, including a 4-year-old child who is still in the hospital.  Please pray for those that were injured, especially this child.
• Kim Rhodes has healed well from her Achilles tendon surgery and is able to walk again with much less pain.  We praise God for that!
• Pray for strained family relationships.
• "May we bring all of our worries and concerns to the Lord.  Only he can help us in our times of trouble."
• "God, help us remember that the people who are in our lives will not be here forever.  Help us to appreciate them while we have them with us.  Tomorrow is not promised!"
• Paula Blohm has been dealing with severe weakness in her legs as a result of diabetes medication and rapid weight loss.  Pray that she regain the strength in her legs.  

-- 

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 - Sep. 14

Last week we began our new series "Follow" where we will look at what Jesus actually said about following him.  The big idea for the morning was how Jesus never calls us to follow a lifestyle; he always calls us to follow him.  Never a rule book; always Jesus. 

After the service someone asked me "So, what does following Jesus look like then?"  My response was "Exactly!  You got it!"  The person just looked at me stunned because they wanted a more detailed explanation.  But they nailed it!  The most important question is: "What does following Jesus look like in my life?"

Following Jesus looks different in your life than my life than your friends life.  We all live different lives but the same Jesus.  There will always be some similarities to others and some guidelines are universal but following Jesus is unique in each life.  Comparing your life with Jesus with another person's or setting up rules simply because someone else has them will only lead to frustration.  Follow Jesus and see what it looks like in your life!

​

1. STUDENTS - Our Wednesday night programs for students age 4 through Middle School begins tonight at Calvin Church on Norton Ave!  We are looking forward to a great year!  Our High School students will began last Sunday and will continue to meet each Sunday through the year.  Contact Pastor Matt for more info.

2. ANNUAL CARNIVAL - We enclosed a flyer for the carnival next week Saturday.  Print one off to hang up at work or hand one to a friend.  This is our huge Fall outreach and we want to see a ton of children come to the event!  Make sure you can help out next Saturday, September 24 from 1:00-3:00PM.  See you there!

3. EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Sep. 15, Deacon Training at Calvin Church, 7:00-9:00PM.

Sep. 16, Play and Learn Class, 10:00AM to NOON at Church.
Sep. 18, Seekers Small Group meets after worship.

Sep. 24, Annual Celebration Carnival.

Sep. 24, Pray For Muskegon
Sep. 25, Creativity Team Meeting after Church
Oct. 4, Church Cleaning Team, 6:00PM
Oct. 6, Classis Meetingat Trinity CRC in Fremont
Oct. 23, Annual Chili Cook-Off
Oct. 30, Annual Leadership Retreat

3. PRAYERS

• Paul Crumb asked for prayers for his friend Bruce from work who is dealing with his wife's health issues.
• For those who have extreme social anxiety issues, especially students at school.
• Deb Mart gives praise to God for successful treatment of her brother's cancer.  The levels have come down to near zero.
• Pray for loved ones who are travelling this week.
• For those who wish to quit smoking.
• Pray for those who desire to follow Jesus this week wherever he leads and into whatever situation.
• Continue to pray for Brian Vredevoogd in the death of his father.  He was not in great health and had dementia for the past 2 years but the loss of a loved one is always tough.
• Pray for our guests this past week.  May God give them what they need!
• Pray for youth ministries starting up this week.  May God do great things in the lives of students this year!
• Pray for the "Play and Learn" class by LoveINC which starts Friday at Celebration.  May it be a blessing to parents and their children.
• Pray for certain churches of Muskegon which require much healing from divisions and unhealthy conflicts.  May they return to God's mission for them as his church.
• Pray for marriages which need your healing touch to resolve issues and provide stability for children to thrive.
• Pray for a successful Annual Carnival on September 24.
• Thank God for wonderful servant at Celebration who regularly give time, talents, and tithes willingly from their hearts.
• Pray for peaceful resolution to conflicts.

-- 

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 - Sept. 7

1. CARNIVAL SIGN UP - We have a little more than a month before the carnival.  Please sign up for your role in our annual carnival.  Go to the table in the church entryway and sign up to: 1) bring items and 2) be help children play a game.  It will be the most fun you'll have all month!

2. NURSERY HELP NEEDED - We are setting up the next year's Celebration Station schedule. We would love to have your help in nurturing our little kingdom workers. Whether you are available once a year or once a month, please sign up at the kiosk. You can request specific weeks, dates, etc or just let us know you are available to help.  Talk to Carla Eenigenburg or email her at ceburg6@gmail.com for more information. Thanks.

3. STUDENTS - Our Wednesday night programs for students age 4 through Middle School begins NEXT Wednesday, September 14 at Calvin Church on Norton Ave.  Our High School students will meet THIS Sunday, September 11 at Calvin Church.

4. COLLEGE LOVE - Send some love to River Baird this year who will attend Grand Valley State University this fall.   Remember this: there is something special which happens when you get a college care package!  Contact River Baird at:

10910 Residence Drive, Apt 116
Allendale, MI 49401.

5. EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Sep. 7,  Women's Bible Study, 11:00AM at church.  We'll go through the book "A Women Who Doesn't Quit".

Sep. 11, Adult Sunday School Resumes, 9:00AM!

Sep. 12, Council/Vision Team Meeting, 6:30PM at church at Cerminaro's

Sep. 24, Annual Celebration Carnival.

Sep. 25, Creativity Team Meeting after Church

6. PRAYERS - Here are some prayers to add to your list.

• Pray for Jim DuRose who has shingles and is in a great deal of pain.  Pray for healing and God's peace.
• Amie Anderson's husband, Ken, will have spine surgery on Thursday afternoon. to relieve pain in sciatic nerve.
• Fred Schossau is recovering at home after back surgery.  He is still in pain but it is supposed to ease soon.
• Pray for the Council meeting on Monday with the Deacon and Vision Team meetings to follow.
• Pray for Duane Schultz and family as his father in law passed recently.
• Pray for those with colds, illnesses, and aches and pains which are keeping them from being 100%.
• Pray for Pastor Matt's throat to heal so it makes him sound less like Froggy from the Little Rascals.
• Pray for those who are dealing with financial difficulties.
• Pray for the LoveINC class "Play and Learn" which will begin every Friday from 10AM-Noon on September 16.
• Pray for Teresa, Bass player Jeff's girlfriend who just had back surgery.

-- 

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

A Cool Story and 7 Other Things

Cool Story on Prayer! - My desk drawers were screaming to be cleaned the other day.  (BTW, I highly recommend this practice at least once per year.)  I began looking through the old prayer team folder from a time before I became pastor at Celebration.  Most of the pages were from 10-12 years ago.

  

The page which caught my eye was the list of people the Prayer Team was specifically and personally praying for.   Team members listed names on the left of people who did not know Jesus.  On the right was a place for updates.  Many had been invited to church and had visited.  Others were blank.  

The best moment was seeing the name Sandy Perkins.  After praying for Sandy for the past 10-12 years, we baptized her this past year!  God finally answered this prayer with a resounding YES this year!  Our God does wonderful things in his time!

1. PLUGERS MEDICAL FUND - The Pluger's have set up a medical fund at Huntington bank to cover some of the costs in Lynn's battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Her treatments will require travel and lodging in Detroit.  Make sure you ask for "Lynn Pluger's Medical Fund". You may also contact our deacons.  Above all, remember Lynn in your prayers!

2. CARNIVAL SIGN UP - Please sign up for your role in our annual carnival.  We have a little more than a month before the event.  Go to the table in the church entryway and sign up to: 1) bring items and 2) be help children play a game.  It will be the most fun you'll have all month!

3. CELEBRATION STATION - Many know this ministry as the nursery.  We are setting up the next year's Celebration Station schedule. We would love to have your help in nurturing our little kingdom workers. Whether you are available once a year or once a month, please sign up at the kiosk. You can request specific weeks, dates, etc or just let us know you are available to help.  Talk to Carla Eenigenburg or email her at ceburg6@gmail.com for more information. Thanks.

4. STUDENTS - Our Wednesday night programs for students age 4 through Middle School begins on September 14 at Calvin Church on Norton Ave.  Our High School students will meet on September 11 at Calvin Church.

5. COLLEGE LOVE - Send some love to River Baird this year who will attend Grand Valley State University this fall.   Remember this: there is something special which happens when you get a college care package!  Contact River Baird at:

10910 Residence Drive, Apt 116
Allendale, MI 49401.

6. EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Sep. 6, Church Cleaning Night, 6:00PM

Sep. 7,  Women's Bible Study, 11:00AM at church.  We will be going through the book "A Women Who Doesn't Quit".
Sep. 11, Adult Sunday School Resumes, 9:00AM!

Sep. 12, Council/Vision Team Meeting, 6:30PM at church

Sep. 24, Annual Celebration Carnival.

Sep. 25, Creativity Team Meeting after Church

7. PRAYERS

• Thelma Bergman's brother Jim is not doing well and has been getting blood transfusions just to keep his hemoglobin levels up.
• Pray for relatives and friends who have been shamed by loved ones and their church because of divorce.
• Pray for those who are victims of abuse by the hands of those who claim to love them.
• Pray for Tommy VanderMolen, a 7th grader at Grand Haven Christian School, was just diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
• Duane Blohm's dad and step-mom are in town from CA.  Dad has been ill and was in the hospital for 5 days.  He is back home now but needs prayers for healing and recovery.
• Pray for parents who will send their children to school this week, especially Kindergarten and colleges.
• Pray also for the teachers who will help shape hearts and minds this year.
• Pray for Amie Anderson and her doctor appointment this week.  Her husband also has an appointment for back surgery this week.
• Praise God for the Prayer Team and their serious approach to lifting up the prayer needs to our gracious God.
• Pray for us as a church as we look to increase a longing for intimacy with God in the hearts of Celebration.
• Continue to pray for Jill Bennett and her transverse myelitus.  She is presently at Mercy Hospital.
• Pray for Linda DeVries, a teacher at WMC, and her colon cancer.
• Pray for Darla Baird as she continues to recover from Pneumonia.
• Pray for our campus chaplains/pastors at the various colleges and universities.  May God give them the words to impact many who long for Jesus but have been running from him for years.
• Pray for the continued good work of Orphans Unlimited in Mozambique by Brenda Lange and her team.  May God continue to bless her.
• May God bless the marriages at Celebration and those whom we know personally who are struggling.
• Pray for our annual carnival which is coming up soon.
• Pray for the students who will lead worship this coming Sunday.
• Pray for Ranae Fifolt who will be moving to Detroit area soon.  May God bless her with all she needs.
• Pray for those in financial stressful situations.

--

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 - Summer Finale

St. Augustine wrote, "To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him, the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest achievement."

1. PLUGERS MEDICAL FUND - The Pluger's have set up a medical fund at Huntington bank in her battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Her treatments will require travel and lodging in Detroit.  Make sure you ask for "Lynn Pluger's Medical Fund". You may also contact our deacons.  Above all, remember Lynn in your prayers!

2. CARNIVAL SIGN UP - Please sign up for your role in our annual carnival.  We have a little more than a month before the event.  Go to the table in the church entryway and sign up to 1) bring items and 2) be in charge of a game.  It will be the most fun you'll have all month!

3. EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Aug. 28, Prayer Team Meeting after Church

Sep. 6, Church Cleaning Night, 6:00PM

Sep. 7,  Women's Bible Study, 11:00AM at church.  They are going through "A Women Who Doesn't Quit".
Sep. 11, Adult Sunday School Resumes, 9:00AM!

Sep. 12, Council/Vision Team Meeting, 6:30PM at church

Sep. 24, Annual Celebration Carnival.

Sep. 25, Creativity Team Meeting after Church

4. PRAYERS

• Pray for Darla Baird as she continues to recover from her pneumonia.
• Pray for those experiencing financial difficulties.
• Reyes and Ruth are concerned about their new puppy who has a virus.  Their dog Max died a few weeks ago.
• Pray for continued healing for Jackie Knight.  She was in the ER on Saturday.  She is also traveling to visit her mom in Oregon this week.
• Pray for the victims of the tornado on Saturday in Hudsonville and Wyoming, MI.
• Pray for those affected by the flooding in Louisiana.
• Pray for those who desire to grow with Jesus every day and long for consistency.
• Pray for those who desire comfort in these "last days".  Pray they will know God is in control still and he loves his people.
• Pray for healing in marriages which are broken or are breaking.  The damage done to the children and other relatives is deep.
• Pray for those looking to get married soon and the tough issues they will work through before the wedding.
• Thank God for LoveINC which seeks to bring restoration and peace to lives filled with chaos, disruption, poverty, and need.
• Thank God for Ed Cohea and the gifts he brings to Celebration.
• Thank God for the drama ministry.  It has helped many people to easily relate to tough issues God wants to speak to them about.

--

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

6 Things To Remember This Week

Simon Weil wrote, "The love of neighbor in all its fullness simply means being able to say...'What are you going through?'"  Let's get close enough to our neighbors and friends to be able to ask this question today.

1. HOT DOG ROAST, Sun, Aug. 21 after church.  Plan on not cooking this Sunday!  If you haven't yet signed up to bring a dessert or side dish, go to PerfectPotluck.com so we can make sure we have enough food for everyone. It's simple!  Click here to go directly to the site. 

2. BOOKKEEPER NEEDED - Our wonderful bookkeeper, Ranae, is taking a job in Detroit.  So, we are in need of someone who will work with the Finance Team to do the bookkeeping needs of the church.  If you or someone you know is interested in this position, contact Steve DuRose or Pastor Matt.

3. PRAYER BOARD - Please make use of the Prayer Board located immediately to the left as you enter church.  Just like the Communication Cards, it is another way to keep the needs of God's people lifted up to God.

4. CARNIVAL SIGN UP - Please sign up for your role in our annual carnival.  We have a little more than a month before the event.  Go to the table in the church entryway and sign up to 1) bring items and 2) be in charge of a game.  It will be the most fun you'll have all month!

5. EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Aug. 17,  Women's Bible Study, 10:00AM at church.  They are going through "A Women Who Doesn't Quit".
Aug 21, Hot Dog Roast after church.

Sep. 11, Adult Sunday School Resumes, 9:00AM!
Sep. 12, Council/Vision Team Meeting, 6:30PM at church

Sept. 24, Annual Celebration Carnival.

6. PRAYERS

When Elisha's servant was in distress and doubt, Elisha encouraged him and also prayed to God for him (2 Kings 6:16-17):"Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Pray the prayer and encouragement of Elisha today over all the people of Celebration and those who are struggling to trust God. Open our eyes Lord so we may see!

• Pray for Chuck Serene who deeply cut his hand while on vacation last week. Pray for a good surgery soon.
• Lynn Pluger gives praise for answered prayer in her improved health.  "I was in the hospital an now have made a huge turn-around.  Miraculous answer to prayer.  Also, thanks to everyone who brought meals and prayed for us."
• Jackie Knight asks for continued prayers for a speedy recovery from her recent surgery.  She asks for prayers for her grandma Sandy who is having trouble walking.
• Pray for those struggling with relationships that God may heal them.
• Praise God for friends and neighbors who has visited Celebration lately.  May we do all we can to help them fall deeper in love with Jesus and Celebration as their church home.
• Pray for the unspoken needs which only God knows.
• "I have a personal prayer request that I don't really know how to explain so I will simply say 'God knows.'
• Ed Cohea's good friend died last week.  Pray for his family and friends in their grief.
• Pray for children with parents in 2 different locations.  May their stress level be eased while they still have fun and peace.
• "Pray for us to treat each other with kindness.  Lift one another and not knock them down."
• Pray for those who are travelling to visit family and friends this week before school begins.
• Pray for those who will be beginning school soon.
• Amie Anderson's husband has been battling pain from his sciatic nerve.  Pray for relief.
• Continue to pray for Mike Straley who is recovering with family in Utah after hitting his head after a fall.
• Brenda Doctor's dad died recently.  The Memorial Service will be August 19 at the Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Pray for peace and comfort for her family.
• "God always provides for his children!"
• Pray for the Muslims who are coming to know Jesus in great numbers even with the threat of shunning and physical harm.

--

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