Dear
Celebration Sisters and Brothers in Christ, 
As we prepare for the approaching Holidays, our pray for you is
“that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,
to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
that Christ may dwNewsletterell
in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded
in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the
width and length and depth and height–to know the LOVE of Christ
which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness
of God.” [Ephesians 3:16-19]
“That out of His glorious unlimited resources He will give you the
mighty inner strengthening of His Holy Spirit.
And that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts
living within you as you trust in Him.
May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous
love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God’s children
should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high His love really
is; and to experience this love for yourselves.” [Ephesians 3:16-19]
May you sense God’s great LOVE for you during the Thanksgiving
holiday. As
we give thanks to Jesus for all He has done for us and in us, may
we share His love with
our family, friends, and those who are in need of the family of
Christ.
As we in Celebration focus on Christmas, let us remember that God
sent His son to save us from our sins and to be Immanuel–God with
us. As Zacharias prophesied, Jesus would give light to those who
sit in darkness and the shadow of death and He will guide our feet
into the way of peace. That
peace that passes all understanding.
Peace that is a state of rest, quietness, and calmness; an
absence of strife.
We have seen the Lord’s abundant blessings on this ministry this
year. We have 22 chapters of Celebration bringing the Good News
of Luke 4:18, 19 to women in their churches and communities.
Women from Wisconsin and Georgia have attended our Fall luncheon
and are ready to start Celebration in their churches.
Celebration is a testimony to “Eye has not seen , nor ear
heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God
has prepared for those who love Him.”
May
God’s love and peace be your gift from Him.
Much
love,
Judy
Mission
Bend Chapter Info
WOW!!! That really sums it all up. The Mission Bend
Chapter had our Informational Meeting on Aug. 24 with almost 100
women in attendance. Like all good Methodists, we had enough
food to feed 200. What was really great was the diverse denominations
represented. Baptist, Lutheran and Episcopal. When it
comes to God we are one! Judy Graham and Beth Domingue were
our Conference guests and as usual they were wonderful vessels of
God. There were 5 women who gave their life to Christ and
about 20 who re-affirmed their faith. We feel so blessed to
have this remarkable ministry coming alive in our church.
We are looking forward to the next Rally on Nov. 9 with the
speaker being Lisa Mayhugh. Lisa is the ministers wife from
St. John's Methodist in Richmond, TX. For more information
email me at audreys@ev1.net
or call (281) 240-9890.
Blessings to all the Chapters!
Audrey Spencer
President
Mission Bend UMC Chapter
Mission Bend UMC's Chapter was officially chartered on October
19, 2002. Congratulations and welcome to the Celebration family!
1st row bottom - left to right: Dorothy Below, Jan
Ridenour
2nd Row - Ruth Stovall, Debbie Bass, Maggie Vansickle
3rd Row - Nancy Hupp, Shelly Towns
4th Row - Connie fowler, Audrey Spencer, Pat Howell
Top Row - Ellen Bearicks, Barbara Howard, Carla
McGinley, Mickey Ellis
The Silsbee Leadership Team
gathers for photo at their September meeting:
Lynn Hardy, Martha Clark, Lisa Boever,
Linda Georgas, Jan Wilson, Martha Bradshaw, Dana Bradshaw, Rosie
Nelson, and Karen Cobble
Leadership Training News
(Mark your calendars now!)
Right now we have two events
for your calendars!
1) Presidents’ Retreat--Jan.
10,11, 2003 at "Hidden Manna" near Huntsville, Texas.
This special time is set aside for Chapter Presidents to encourage
and renew them for their vital role in this ministry. The cost to
them for this weekend is $25 and includes one nights lodging (all
linens included) and three meals, plus wonderful praise and worship
and great fellowship!! Please encourage your Presidents to attend!
2) Leadership Retreat-- Feb.
22, 2003 at First United Methodist, Marshall, Texas. This day-long
event is for all chapter officers and ministry team leaders (both
present and future). Come for a great time of encouragement and
learning from one another! (Presidents, encourage your Boards to
attend!) Watch your mail for registration forms for these events!
Cindy Masterson, Director of
Leadership Training, (713) 782-8480, or clmasterson@houston.rr.com
A
testimony from Sugar Land Celebration
By
Ann Brand
Jesus
said, “And these signs will accompany those who believe¼.they will
place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark
6:15a,17a, 18b Life Application Bible)
I
almost didn’t come to the Celebration meeting on December 3, 2001
because I was experiencing so much pain in my lower back.
I could hardly stand or walk and the thought of sitting was
almost too much to think about.
But my daughter and I had planned to attend Celebration together
and I didn’t want to let her down.
Somehow I managed to get there hoping that focusing on something
else would alleviate the pain for awhile.
I was blessed by Dr. Alta Harvey’s message and the power
she delivered through the Word of God.
When she issued an invitation for those who were suffering
some type of affliction – being physical, emotional or spiritual
– the Lord put it on my heart to go forward.
As Alta prayed, and asked the Lord to heal me, when she lifted
her hand from my back I was astounded to find that the pain was
gone! I was able to
bend over and touch my toes, stand and sit and there was NO PAIN.
Praise God.
Through
the next week as the pain tried to come back I became doubtful but
God reminded me that He had healed me and now I would have to do my
part. My part was to
return to my exercise program and believe that God was continuing
to do His part. As I write this today, I am free from pain.
I give all the glory and honor to God, whose ways are higher
and greater than anything we can imagine!
I praise God that I came to Celebration and was open to receive
His healing that day through His messenger Alta.
I do not know what the future holds, but I know the One who
holds the future and I trust in Him completely. (Posted
10/17/2002)
Pasadena Praise Team
Pictured left to right. Kathryn Braddock,
Marye Nickens, Christine Griffin, Beverly
Baker, Adrien Myers. Dayna Durden is in the background playing
keyboard.
Praise
& Worship - Beth Domingue
Hats off to: Karen Clark,Shannon
Cutts, Karie Fisk, Pattie Maudsley, and Robin Palmer!
Thank you so much for joining me as the Praise and Worship
Team for the Fall Luncheon.
You are a blessing to all of your Celebration Sisters!!
Growing in our Gifts –
It is so awesome when we are able
to use our musical gifts to glorify the Lord in our worship.
Our Father God
loves music!
Zephaniah
3:17 says:
17
The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty
One, will save;
He will
rejoice over you with gladness,
He will
quiet you with His love,
He will
rejoice over you with singing.”
Yes, God is singing over you and
me. It is so awesome
that we have been called to lead in worship, to bring others into
the very presence of God … singing back to Him.
Every time we lift our voice to the Lord we are singing to
the Number One Music Lover!
Worship leaders, when we
step up to the microphone, are we ready?
Have we prayerfully chosen our songs?
Have we spent time alone worshipping and singing to our Father?
Have we spent time as a team in rehearsal, prayer and preparation?
Do we know the songs we are singing?
Soon we will be in the midst
of Christmas carols and busy schedules, let’s take the time to prepare
as we lift our voices to heavens to worship Him.
Celebrating Jesus!
Beth
Domingue
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Celebration Ministries
Annual Spring Retreat
With
Marilyn Anderes
May 2-4, 2003
Lakeview Methodist Conference Center,
Palestine, Texas
In national demand as
a women’s retreat speaker, God’s love and compassion flows
through Marilyn, carrying
with it an impartation to know the Lord Jesus in the
renewed intimacy of close personal relationship.
A Mentor, Bible Study
Leader, Contributing Editor for Good News Magazine and
gifted author, Marilyn's message comes straight
from the heart of God. A gifted teacher, Marilyn holds
a B.S. from School of Education at the University
of Wisconsin. Married to John Anderes, Marilyn has a daughter,
son-in-law, son & daughter-in-law and
4 grandchildren.
Cost for retreat is $135.00
"First Class" housing is limited, make your
reservations early !
Contact Martha Zaruba at (409) 684-3558 for early registration
information.
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Celebration Conference
Annual Fall Luncheon
Friday October
3, 2003
With
Beth Moore
Known
for presenting the Scripture in living
color, Christian speaker, author and ministry
leader Beth Moore brings joy and excitement
in Christ to life through words. Beth’s
deep love for the Savior is obvious, and
her style of speaking is electric. She loves the
Lord, loves to laugh, and loves to be with His
people.
We look forward to seeing
you at next years exciting
annual Celebration
Fall Luncheon…
Celebration Conference
Annual Fall Luncheon 2002
“Now
the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord
is, there is freedom.” --
II Corinthians 3:17
From
Martha Zaruba, Director of Retreats and Special Events
As
we prayed about our scripture and theme for our Third
Annual Conference Fall Luncheon, we all knew this was
the scripture God was speaking to our hearts.
Our thoughts reflected on the 9/11 anniversary
date and we felt God speaking to our hearts about freedom….freedom
from terrorists, freedom that our forefathers fought for
and, most of all, freedom through Jesus Christ from sin
and shame.
Susan
Baker, our guest speaker, delivered a powerful message
on forgiveness.
She shared how, being in the political arena, she’s
had many opportunities to “practice what she preaches”
on forgiveness. Through
the many examples she gave, each of us had the opportunity
to examine our own lives and allow the Holy Spirit, who
knows all things, and searches our hearts, to bring to
our attention to any areas where we needed to allow forgiveness
to take place, setting us free.
Our
luncheon was held at BraeBurn Country Club, where the
service was exemplary and the food outstanding. Their facilities were quite beautiful, and the presence of
the Lord was evident in our gathering.
Everyone was greeted warmly outside, as well as
inside, by
our Greeters, from the Pasadena Celebration Chapter.
Hostesses were at each table, under the direction
of Conference Board Secretary, Cathy Busa., making us
all feel special and relaxed.
On our tables were gifts lavished on us by Jan
Wilson, Director of Prayer on our Conference Board.
She had flags with our scripture on them to remind
us to prayer for our nation and to give thanks for our
personal freedom in Chirst. A gift of bookmarks with our scripture on it was also given
to all the ladies.
We
began our meeting with our Praise & Worship Team,
directed by Beth Domingue, singing “Victory in Jesus”,
and we left with just that!
Our President, Judy Graham, welcomed everyone and
we had 12 chapters represented, along with six chapters
in progress. We
had 108 attend, with 31 churches represented.
After
our delicious meal, Billie Garrison conducted our Procession
of Banners, followed by Praise & Worship.
Cindy Masterson, our new Director of Leadership
Training, shared part of her testimony and scriptures
concerning our giving to the Lord’s work.
Special
music was provided by Shannon Cutts, a member of our Praise
& Worship Team, followed by
Susan Baker’s message.
A time of prayer and personal ministry ended our
wonderful day together.
This
luncheon is to honor first of all, the Lord Jesus Christ,
and then our sister chapters.
We need this time to come together and bond and
share our experiences in Celebration.
We were so blessed to have ladies from Wisconsin
and Georgia join us with thoughts of starting Celebration
in their states.
Of
course where there are women, there is shopping.
Celebration Shopping offered books, tapes, bracelets,
Celebration bags, etc.
Thanks to Audrey Spencer, and her sales team! Thanks to Gerry Lang, our photographer for the event.
She took at least four rolls!
We
were also blessed to have with us Saundra Martin-Hicks
and her crew, working on our publicity video for inquiring
churches.
Responses
from the women attending the luncheon regarding: “Let
me tell you what God has done in my heart today”:
- “This
luncheon was so motivating!
I’ve loved the Word, the music and fellowship.
It’s like I am continuously equipped to do His
will. The
message was very timely!
Excellent choice of speaker, excellent message.”
- “Thanks
to Susan Baker for a wonderful message on forgiveness.
I was touched in several ways, but was especially
impressed with the truth of our need to forgive…even
ourselves, for not “measuring up” to what we think we
need to be.”
- “I
feel that God is going to change my life and my church
relationship.”
- “There
have been “rooms” of unforgiveness in my heart towards
my ex-husband and how he hurt our children and me.
I don’t forget, I don’t discount, I don’t absolve
. . . BUT I forgive . . in Jesus name!”
- “I
have a heart for woman to woman ministry.
I’ve admired this ministry from afar. I’m going to make a concerted effort to get involved.
I love what you do for the Lord!”
- “I
have been praying since the Spring Retreat that my husband
would pursue a personal relationship with Christ.
He recently started taking a 30-minute prayer
time each morning!
Praise the Lord for answered prayer!”
Pictures
from the FALL 2002 Luncheon
Above:
Judy Graham, Martha Zaruba, Susan Baker
Above:
June Rhoton, Frankie Watson
Above:
Mary Wallace, Lois McFarland, Atlanta, GA
Janelle
Blackbourn, Christine Cookus, Jessica Cookus, JoLynn Cookus,
Christie Monroe, Susan Monroe -- Airline UMC
Above: Celebration Shopping
Above: Jan Wilson,
Carla McGinley
Above: Lorrie Foster,
Rose Nelson, Dana Bradshaw, Karen Cobble, Martha Bradshaw
Above: Pat Praesel,
Audrey Spencer
Above: SusanTeekell,
Betty Freeman
Above: Rev. Becky Kindschi,
Judy Graham, Peg Muenzel
Praise Team
Ministry Time
Above: Holly Garrett,
Erin Kramer, Kristen Malone
Above: Margaret Denman,
Suzanne Werlein, Faithbridge UMC
Above: Kari Fisk, Robin
Palmer
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"Houston's Chapelwood
UMC hosts ABC 13's Melanie Lawson"
KTRK-TV News Anchor and Houston "Woman of Distinction"
Melanie Lawson is the featured guest speaker at the Chapelwood
Autumn Luncheon on Tuesday, October 29, at 12:00 noon in the Fellowship
Hall. Chapelwood Chapter President, Deborah Wynn, says, "Melanie
is a beautiful woman of God. Her story of triumph over adversity
and serenity in the midst of chaos is an inspiration. I'm
excited that Melanie will share her testimony with our Celebration
sisters!" Reservations for the luncheon can be made by
calling Judy Jones at (713) 354-4412 or e-mailing her at
Donations of $10. are requested; and nursery care
is provided by request. Bring a new friend you'd like to introduce
to "Celebration!"
I'm excited to report that we already have over
100 reservations two weeks before the luncheon! That's particularly
encouraging as there were only 24 people in attendance at the last
luncheon that was held in May...
God is at work...and He's letting us be a part
of His plan by using our little fingers and toes! WooHoo!
What fun!!!
Hugs and prayers for each of you...
Sincerely,
Deborah B.
Wynn
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